A large loaf of stale bread, or use a mixture of different breads, that you’ve saved by freezing leftovers.
500g/1lb mixed fruit (BBC1 doesn’t like mixed fruit so I use all sultanas)
100g/3 ½ oz suet
1 tablespoon mixed spice or to taste
6 tablespoons granulated white sugar plus 2 to 3 tablespoons for decoration
Method:
Cut the bread up into one inch squares and put into a large bowl cover with water and leave to soak for half an hour or so. While the bread soaks grease an ovenproof dish (approx’ 12″ x 8″/30cm x 20cm) with a little butter and preheat the oven 180c fan. You should also gather all the ingredients together ready to assemble the pudding (I find it’s a good idea to mix the mixed spice with 6 tablespoons of sugar beforehand) as you need to use your hand to ensure that the mixture is even. Now take your soaked bread and squeeze out the water, put the bread pulp into a bowl and discard the water. Now add the mixed fruit to the bread pulp and mix, then add the suet and the sugar spice mix and mix it all together. Transfer the mixture to your greased oven dish and loosely cover the top with tinfoil. Cook for 1 hr 15 minutes then remove the tinfoil and cook for 15 minutes more. It should be dark brown when cooked, remove from the oven allow to cool for 15 minutes or so then sprinkle with the 2/3 spoons of reserved sugar. Serve hot with custard, cream or ice-cream, or eat cold with a nice cup of tea. Hope you like it!
