Figgy Duff
A dark, moist Newfoundland steamed pudding of raisins, breadcrumbs and molasses, cooked in a basin for two hours and served hot with a buttery molasses sauce.
How to Make Figgy Duff
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Grease a 1.2 litre pudding basin and line the base with a disc of baking paper.
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Mix the flour, breadcrumbs, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl, and rub in the grated butter.
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Stir in the raisins and 60 g of sugar.
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Whisk the 120 ml molasses, milk and egg together, pour into the dry mixture, and stir to a soft, dropping batter.
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Spoon the batter into the basin, leaving 3 cm of space at the top. Cover with a pleated sheet of baking paper and a sheet of foil, and tie them tightly with string.
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Set the basin on a trivet or upturned saucer in a large pot and pour in boiling water to come halfway up the sides. Cover the pot and steam over a low simmer for 2 hours, topping up with boiling water as needed.
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For the sauce, melt the 60 g butter with the 60 g sugar and 60 ml molasses in a small pan, stir in the cream, and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Lift out the basin, let it stand for 10 minutes, then turn the pudding out onto a plate and serve sliced with the hot sauce.
Tips for Making Figgy Duff
- Keep the water at a gentle simmer and top it up. A pot that boils dry scorches the basin, and one that boils hard can force water under the lid.
- Cover the basin tightly with pleated paper and foil. The pleat lets the pudding rise, and the tight seal keeps the steam out.
- Use a dark, mild molasses. Blackstrap is too bitter and overpowers the raisins.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- Double cream won't whip if you swap it, but for the cooking itself, full-fat crème fraîche or a lower-fat single cream works in its place.
What to Serve with Figgy Duff
- Custard
- Whipped cream
- A cup of strong tea
Storing & Reheating Figgy Duff
Keeps wrapped in the fridge for up to 5 days. Steam slices for 5 minutes or microwave them. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Figgy Duff FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Figgy Duff take to make?
About 2 hours 30 minutes in total — 20 minutes of preparation and 2 hours 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 8.
What are the key tips for making Figgy Duff?
Keep the water at a gentle simmer and top it up. A pot that boils dry scorches the basin, and one that boils hard can force water under the lid. Cover the basin tightly with pleated paper and foil. The pleat lets the pudding rise, and the tight seal keeps the steam out. Use a dark, mild molasses. Blackstrap is too bitter and overpowers the raisins.
What should I serve with Figgy Duff?
Custard; Whipped cream; A cup of strong tea.
Can Figgy Duff be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps wrapped in the fridge for up to 5 days. Steam slices for 5 minutes or microwave them. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Is Figgy Duff suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Figgy Duff?
About 573 kcal per serving, with 6 g protein, 81 g carbohydrate and 25 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Figgy Duff Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.