Everything you need to know about Spotted Dick Pudding, from where it got its name to how to make it!
While cheesecakes, pies and cakes all make delicious desserts, it is fun to switch it up, get creative and try out something new!
This dessert isn’t seen on many dessert menus in the US, but it’s a major hit across the pond in the UK; Spotted Dick Pudding is a traditional English dessert, often served after lunch at school but popular with adults too!
A warming, steamed sponge usually topped with custard, Spotted Dick is perfect for a winter’s evening – it has that satisfying, comforting quality that you need on colder days!
You can sometimes find canned Spotted Dick in the aisles of your local grocery stores, but we highly recommend making your own. Canned versions of Spotted Dick do this fabulous dessert no justice and are not appealing at all!
The history of Spotted Dick
The very first recipe for this pudding ever recorded was in Alexis Benoist Soyer’s cookbook, The Modern Housewife or Menagere in 1849.
However, dishes that were very similar in appearance and taste to Spotted Dick existed as far back as medieval times!
All about suet
Rather than using butter as a fat while baking a traditional Spotted Dick, a rather interesting ingredient called suet is used instead.
Suet is a rendered from the fat around the kidneys and other organs of certain animals, generally beef and mutton. While suet doesn’t quite sound suitable for a sweet dessert, you’ll be glad to know it doesn’t actually add a meaty flavor! Instead, it adds an indulgent richness to the dish!
Suet is not commonly used outside of the UK, so this recipe calls for shortening or butter instead.
More British desserts
British desserts have a reputation for being hearty and filling… and these delicious dishes are no exception. Try:
Spotted Dick Pudding
Ingredients
- 10 ounces All-Purpose Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 5 ounces Shortening
- 3 ounces Fine Granulated Sugar
- 4 ounces Dried Currants
- zest of one Lemon
- 200 milliliters Milk
- Butter for greasing
Instructions
- To make the sponge, combine flour, baking powder, shortening, fine granulated sugar, currants and lemon zest in a large bowl.
- Add the milk to the dry ingredients and mix to form a soft dough.
- With either butter or oil, grease a pudding basin and transfer the dough to it, covering with a folded piece of greaseproof paper. Tie the ends of the paper with string to secure and then lay a damp tea towel over the paper. Tie the ends of the tea towel so that it is also secure.
- Put the pudding basin into a large, lidded saucepan and add water until it fills the saucepan about 2/3 of the way. Cover and bring to a boil, reducing to a simmer for an hour.
- Slice the Spotted Dick sponge into 6 wedges, placing one wedge per plate, topped with a large spoonful of custard.