Spotted Dick Traditional British Steamed Fruit Sponge Pudding

Dive into the comforting tradition of British cuisine with this Spotted Dick, a beloved steamed fruit sponge pudding that’s as nostalgic as it is indulgent. This classic dessert features a tender, suet-based sponge dotted with sweet currants or raisins, which give the "spotted" appearance that lends the dish its name. Gently steamed to perfection, this pudding achieves a moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a subtle richness. Optional hints of lemon zest add a refreshing brightness to each bite. Perfectly paired with a drizzle of warm custard or cream, this recipe is a quintessential British treat that’s sure to delight at any gathering. With its simple ingredients and time-honored steaming method, this dessert is a lovely trip back in culinary history, celebrating the enduring charm of traditional British puddings.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams All-purpose flour
• 125 grams Suet (or vegetarian suet)
• 50 grams Caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 125 grams Currants or raisins
• 150 milliliters Milk
• 1 lemon Zest of lemon (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Butter (for greasing)
• 1 tablespoon Flour (for dusting the pudding basin)

Directions

Step 1

Grease a 1-liter (2-pint) pudding basin with butter and lightly dust it with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, suet, caster sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

Stir in the currants or raisins and optional lemon zest to evenly distribute the fruit.

Step 4

Gradually add the milk while stirring until the mixture comes together into a soft, but not sticky, dough.

Step 5

Transfer the dough to the prepared pudding basin and press it down gently to ensure an even surface, leaving some space for the pudding to expand.

Step 6

Cover the pudding basin with a layer of parchment paper and then aluminum foil, pleating the top to allow room for expansion. Tie securely with kitchen string around the rim of the basin.

Step 7

Place the covered pudding basin into a large saucepan. Add boiling water to the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the basin.

Step 8

Cover the saucepan with a lid and steam the pudding over low heat for 90 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the water level is maintained. Top up with more boiling water if needed.

Step 9

Carefully remove the pudding basin from the saucepan and let it rest for a few minutes. Remove the paper and foil coverings.

Step 10

Run a knife around the edge of the pudding, invert it onto a serving plate, and serve warm with custard or cream.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(385.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1273.0

Total Fat 2.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1504.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 287.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.3g	0%
Total Sugars 84.3g
Protein 30.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 141.5mg	0%
Iron 15.3mg	0%
Potassium 1383mg	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: 1.9%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 88.5%