Grandma Waldal's Christmas Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs raisins
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
• 2 ounces candied citron peel, finely chopped
• 2 cups apples, finely diced
• 1 cup brandy
• 1 1/2 cups dry breadcrumbs
• 1 cup suet, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons lemon rind, grated

Directions

1. 1

   Combine the raisins, almonds, citron, apples, and brandy in a bowl, and allow to sit overnight.

2. 2

   The next day, preheat oven to 300°F

3. 3

   Butter a 2-qt. pudding mold (or souffle dish).

4. 4

   Combine the fruit mixture with the remaining ingredients, one at a time. Mix well, and turn into pudding mold and cover tightly with parchment paper secured with cotton string.

5. 5

   Place a large roasting pan in oven on center rack. Place mold in pan and fill pan with boiling water. Steam 7 to 8 hours, adding more water if necessary.

6. 6

   To serve, loosen the side of the pudding with a knife and invert onto a serving platter.

7. 7

   Serve warm, with your favorite hard sauce. (There are several variations posted here on Zaar).