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4 from 3 votes

Christmas Figgy Pudding

Steeped in English tradition, this figgy pudding is sure to excite even the Ebenezer Scrooge types with its fruity sweetness and spectacular flaming presentation.

Ingredients

  • 7 oz about 1 cup chopped dried figs
  • 7 oz about 1 cup chopped pitted dates
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons dark rum
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup butter for toffee sauce
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar for toffee sauce
  • 2/3 cup dark rum for flambe

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan bring water and dried fruits to a boil. Boil for five minutes, remove from heat and add baking soda. This will froth up. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes. After this cooling time, puree in a food processor until a smooth paste.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and dark rum, beating to combine. Add cooled fruit mixture and beat until evenly incorporated. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, and baking powder. Gently fold the flour mixture into the fruit batter so that no flour streaks remain. Avoid over mixing.
  • Grease one large Bundt-style pan, or 8-10 mini Bundts or ramekins with butter. Fill with batter about 2/3 full. Place the figgy pudding cooking vessel in a large baking dish and fill the dish with hot water, about 1/2 way up the sides of the pudding dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes for individual servings, or 25-30+ minutes for a larger dish. The figgy pudding is done when a skewer inserted in the thickest part of the pan reveals a moist crumb. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • Before serving, bring 1/2 cup of butter and 1 cup of dark brown sugar to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, thickening slightly. Remove from heat. Carefully un-mold figgy pudding onto serving platter or dish. Pour "toffee" sauce over the tops of the un-molded puddings.
  • To flambe, drizzle dark rum over the top of the figgy puddings, carefully ignite with a lighter or matches and receive obligatory applause.