Scottish Currant Slab

Ingredients

Pastry

• 750 g plain flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 225 g butter or margarine
• 250 g butter (at room temp)
• 250 g caster sugar
• 1 egg (beaten)

Filling

• 550 g currants
• 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
• 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons custard powder, mixed with a little water to form a paste

Directions

1. 1

   For the pastry:.

2. 2

   Sift the flour and salt together.Rub in the butters.Stir in the sugar,then add the egg,mixing to a soft dough.

3. 3

   Knead dough until smooth.Cover with cling film and chill for 20-30 minutes.

4. 4

   For the filling:.

5. 5

   Put the currants,spice and sugar into a large pan and add enough cold water to JUST cover the fruit.

6. 6

   Bring to the boil,turn down the heat,and simmer gently for no more than 5 minutes.

7. 7

   Remove pan from heat.Gradually add the custard paste,stirring until the fruit mixture thickens slightly (it will thicken more when cool).

8. 8

   Preheat the oven to Gas 3.Grease and line a 30x18cm swiss roll tin.

9. 9

   Divide the pastry into half.

10. 10

    Roll out the pastry and use to line the tin,pressing pastry over the base and the sides.Lightly brush the top edges with water.

11. 11

    Spoon the fruit mixture into pastry case,spread evenly and pack well.

12. 12

    Roll out the remaining pastry,slightly larger than the tin.Lay over the filling and pat down.

13. 13

    Trim awat the excess pastry and crim the edges.Cut 2 slits into the middle of the pie.

14. 14

    Bake for 50-60 mins.Sprinkle the top with caster sugar while pastry is still warm.

15. 15

    Serve hot or cold.