Quick Plum Pudding
375g mixed fruit
1 3/4 cups warm water* (see note)
1 cup full cream milk powder
2 Tbsp butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp bi-carb soda
1 1/2 cups SR Flour
1 tsp vanilla essence
Place mixed fruit into a large saucepan. Whisk water with powdered milk until combined. Add to saucepan with butter, sugar and spices. Bring to boil, then add soda. Quickly stir in sifted flour and vanilla. Put mixture into a 6-cup capacity greased pudding basin; cover and steam for 2 hours in boiling water.
Note: Alcohol Version – Reduce the water to 1 1/2 cups and add 1/4 cup of brandy to the mix in the saucepan.
Pudding can be made days ahead and refrigerated or even frozen.