Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Today is National Plum Pudding Day

Ingredients

 

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

3/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cans (15 ounces each) plums, drained, pitted and chopped

1-3/4 cups chopped dates

1 cup golden raisins

1 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup dried currants

HARD SAUCE:

1/2 cup butter, softened

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup dark rum or orange juice

Directions

 

Generously grease an 8-cup pudding mold, metal gelatin mold or ovenproof bowl; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, mix bread crumbs, flour, orange zest, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, salt and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in plums, dates, raisins, carrots and currants.

Transfer to prepared pudding mold. Cover tightly with heavy-duty foil; tie foil with kitchen string to secure.

Place on a rack in a stockpot; add 3 in. hot water to pot. Bring water to a gentle boil; steam cake, covered, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 2 to 2-1/2 hours, adding more water to pot as needed. Remove pudding from pot; let stand 5 minutes before unmolding.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat hard sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Unmold pudding onto a serving plate; serve warm with sauce.

 

For more recipes visit https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/.

 

Fun Fact: Plum pudding was made of beef and mutton, with currants, raisins, prunes, spices and wine. It was traditionally eaten before the Christmas celebrations went ahead. In 1595, the Christmas Pudding was renamed the Plum Pudding, and consisted of breadcrumbs, eggs, dried fruits and spirits.

 

In England all desserts are referred to as pudding.

 

Plum pudding is usually served by pouring brandy over it and igniting the cake.  A creamy brandy sauce is often spooned over the dessert.  Brandy Butter is also served along with Plum Pudding.  Brandy Butter is butter mixed with brandy and sugar to a spreadable consistency.

 

The reason Plum Pudding Day is celebrated in February is unknown.

 

Prunes are dried plums.

 

Today in  History: In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, who was the Queen of England for 9 days, was executed for treason on Tower Hill by Queen Mary I.

Fun Fact: Jane Grey’s original execution was February 9th, however was postponed because Queen Mary I gave her the chance to convert to the Catholic faith in 3 days, Queen Mary I sent her chaplain, John Feckenham to Jane, who was initially displeased about this, she became friends with chaplain, although she did not give into his efforts to

“save her soul”.

 

Lagniappe: Not only can you surf the Web on your computer these days, but you can also use a computer to build physical objects using a 3D printer. Take, for example, the SQ4D company, which is using what it calls an “autonomous robotic construction system” on its computers, a giant 3D printer and concrete to build houses, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. The company claims its process can be used to “drastically” reduce the cost of new home construction. They built the first of its kind robo-home in Riverhead, NY, which is up for sale for a dollar short of $300,000.