Christmas Plum Pudding
750g mixed fruit
100g pitted prunes, chopped
250g butter
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
4 x eggs
100g dates, chopped
1/2 cup brandy or rum
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
50g slivered almonds
1 cup fine white breadcrumbs
1. Cream butter and sugar until creamy. Gradually add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Mix in fruit, alcohol, sifted dry ingredients, slivered almonds and breadcrumbs.
2. Place mixture into a well greased 8 cup pudding basin lined with baking paper on the bottom. Cover with a circle of foil and place lid on basin.
3. Place in large saucepan with enough boiling water to come halfway up the basin. Boil for 6 hours making sure water level remains the same throughout cooking by adding more boiling water as necessary.
4. On day of serving re-boil pudding for a further 2 1/2 hours. Serve with cream and custard.