Clootie Dumpling

Dive into the heart of traditional Scottish baking with this comforting Clootie Dumpling recipe—a festive favorite that’s as nostalgic as it is delicious! This steamed fruit pudding combines warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with a rich blend of currants, sultanas, and dark brown sugar, all wrapped in a flour-dusted muslin cloth to create its signature texture. Slowly steamed to perfection over three hours, the dumpling boasts a moist, dense interior with a beautifully sweet and aromatic flavor profile. Serve it warm in thick slices, paired with creamy custard or a dollop of whipped cream, for a dessert that’s perfect for family gatherings or holiday celebrations. Whether you’re honoring Scottish heritage or discovering a new classic, this Clootie Dumpling is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams Plain flour
• 100 grams Breadcrumbs
• 100 grams Dark brown sugar
• 100 grams Currants
• 100 grams Sultanas
• 100 grams Vegetable suet (or grated frozen butter as a substitute)
• 250 milliliters Milk
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 1 piece (about 50x50 cm) Plain muslin cloth

Directions

Step 1

Start by prepping your muslin or cloth. Immerse it in boiling water, then wring it out thoroughly. Lay it flat and dust it generously with plain flour to prevent the dumpling from sticking.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, currants, sultanas, suet, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Step 3

In a separate jug, whisk together the milk and egg until fully combined.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk and egg mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until you achieve a thick, sticky batter.

Step 5

Spoon the mixture into the center of your prepared cloth, leaving about 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) of space around the edges to allow for expansion.

Step 6

Gather the edges of the cloth and tie it tightly with kitchen string, leaving a little room for the dumpling to puff up during steaming.

Step 7

Place a heatproof plate upside down in the bottom of a large pot to prevent direct contact between the dumpling and the pot. Fill the pot with enough boiling water to reach about two-thirds up the side of the dumpling bundle.

Step 8

Carefully lower the dumpling bundle onto the plate. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam over low heat for 3 hours, checking occasionally to top up the water if needed.

Step 9

Once cooked, carefully remove the dumpling from the pot. Place it on a plate, untie the string, and gently peel back the cloth while the dumpling is still warm.

Step 10

Allow the dumpling to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy it plain, with custard, or even with a dollop of cream.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1176.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3417.5

Total Fat 122.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 242.7mg	0%
Sodium 2944.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 543.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.6g	0%
Total Sugars 239.3g
Protein 62.1g	0%

Vitamin D 167.2IU	0%
Calcium 693.1mg	0%
Iron 22.0mg	0%
Potassium 2422.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.3%

Protein: 7.0%

Carbs: 61.6%