Traditional Clootie Dumpling with Vanilla

Ingredients:

225g plain flour
110g suet (beef or vegetarian)
110g breadcrumbs
110g soft brown sugar
225g mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants)
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
150 ml milk
2 tbsp golden syrup

Method:

• Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Beat the egg, milk and vanilla extract together.
• Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
• Add the golden syrup and mix to a thick batter.
• Dip a clean cloth (cloot) in boiling water, wring out and dust with flour.
• Spoon the mixture into the cloth and tie securely, leaving room to expand.
• Boil for 3 hours, topping up the water when needed.
• Unwrap and dry in a warm oven for 10 minutes if you want a skin.
• Serve with hot custard, double cream, or a gentle vanilla–whisky sauce.