Sharp R-82STM Figgy Pudding, Chocolate Fudge, Treacle Toffee, MAKES 675g 11/2LB, MAKES 300g 10OZ

DESSERTS/SWEETS

FIGGY PUDDING

SERVES 6 PREPARATION TIME - 21/4 HOURS

125g (5oz) dried figs, roughly chopped

125g (5oz) dried apricots, roughly chopped

100g (4oz) raisins

100g (4oz) currants

60ml (4tbsp) brandy

75g (3oz) plain flour

2.5ml (1/2tsp) allspice

2.5ml (1/2tsp) grated nutmeg

2.5ml (1/2tsp) ground cinnamon

50g (2oz) fresh breadcrumbs

75g (3oz) shredded suet

100g (4oz) soft brown sugar

50g (2oz) blanched almonds, roughly chopped grated rind of 1 medium orange

grated rind of 1 medium lemon

1 eating apple, grated 15ml (1tbsp) black treacle

1 egg (size 3), beaten

1Place figs, apricots, raisins, currants, and brandy in a large bowl, mix well. Leave for 2 hours.

2Place the flour, spices, breadcrumbs, suet, sugar, almonds, orange and lemon rind and apple in a bowl, mix well. Stir into the dried fruit mixture along with the treacle and beaten egg.

3Grease 1.2 litre (2 pint) pudding basin and line the base with a circle of kitchen paper. Spoon in the pudding mixture, smooth the surface and cover with cling film.

4Cook on MEDIUM for 16-17 minutes until firm to the touch.

Serve with brandy sauce, see page 56.

Microwave Tip: Reheating Christmas pudding

Place a 500g (1lb 2oz) pudding in a shallow flan dish. Cover and heat on MEDIUM HIGH for 3-4 minutes.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

MAKES 675g (11/2LB)

100g (4oz) milk chocolate, broken into pieces

100g (4oz) butter, melted

450g (1lb) icing sugar

45ml (3tbsp) milk

PREPARATION TIME - 6 MINUTES

1Place the chocolate in a bowl and heat on HIGH for 2 minutes, stir every 30 seconds until melted.

2Stir in butter, icing sugar and milk. Heat on HIGH for 3 minutes, stir vigorously every minute until the mixture is thick and glossy.

3Pour into a greased, rectangular 20.4 x 15.3cm (8 x 6") dish, chill to set before cutting.

TREACLE TOFFEE

MAKES 300g (10OZ)

225g (8oz) soft dark brown sugar

75ml (5tbsp) water

5ml (1tsp) treacle

25g (1oz) butter

30ml (2tbsp) malt vinegar

PREPARATION TIME - 4 MINUTES

1 Place all ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Heat on MEDIUM HIGH for 14 minutes, stir every 2-3 minutes until toffee reaches hard crack* stage. (See tip below).

2 Pour into a greased, square 15.3cm (6") dish. Chill to set before breaking.

*Hard crack: To determine drop a teaspoon of mixture into a glass of cold water and the toffee should be hard to the touch.

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