Spotted Dick

Name: Spotted Dick
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 250g Self-raising Flour; pinch Salt; 125g Suet; 175g Currants; 80g Caster Sugar; Zest of 1 Lemon; Zest of 1 Orange; 150ml Milk; to serve Custard

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Serves 6 449 kcal per serving Prep 30 min Cook 2 h Passive 10 min

Ingredients

250g Self-raising Flour
pinch Salt
125g Suet
175g Currants
80g Caster Sugar
Zest of 1 Lemon
Zest of 1 Orange
150ml Milk
to serve Custard

Instructions

Place the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the suet, currants, sugar, lemon zest and orange zest and mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Pour in the milk and stir until a firm but moist dough forms. If needed, add a little extra milk to achieve a workable consistency.
Shape the dough into a thick roll about 20 cm long. Place it on a large sheet of baking parchment, wrap it loosely to allow for expansion and tie the ends securely, similar to a wrapped cracker.
Set a steamer over a large pan of boiling water. Place the wrapped pudding in the steamer, cover with a lid and steam for 1½ hours, topping up the water level as needed.
Remove from the steamer and allow it to cool slightly before unwrapping. Slice and serve warm with custard.

Tips

Use fresh shredded beef or vegetable suet for the most authentic, light, and airy sponge texture.
Ensure the pudding basin is well-greased and leave enough room for the sponge to rise under the foil lid.
Check the water level in your steamer every 30 minutes; never let the pot boil dry.

Variations

Ginger Spotted Dick: Add chopped stem ginger and a teaspoon of ground ginger to the mix.
Chocolate Chip: Replace the currants with dark chocolate chips for a modern, kid-friendly twist.

Storage

Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat by steaming for 20 minutes or in the microwave for a few seconds to restore its softness.

Serving Suggestions

Must be served with a generous amount of hot, thick vanilla custard.
A drizzle of golden syrup over the top adds an extra layer of traditional sweetness.