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Spotted Dick Recipe

Spotted Dick Recipe

Spotted Dick is a traditional British steamed pudding made with flour, sugar, suet, currants, lemon zest, and vanilla.
Steamed for several hours to create a tender, sponge-like texture, it’s served warm with rich English custard sauce.
A classic old-fashioned dessert that’s simple, hearty, and perfect for cozy occasions.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 498
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 ounces shredded beef suet or 10 tablespoons chilled butter, diced
  • 2/3 cup caster sugar or granulated sugar
  • 1 cup dried currants
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Zest of one large lemon
  • English custard sauce for serving

Method
 

  1. Place metal cookie cutters, a folded towel, or crumpled foil in the bottom of a large stock pot to keep the pudding mold from touching the bottom. Add water and bring it to a boil. Generously grease a 1.6 liter pudding mold.
  2. In a food processor, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and suet or butter. Pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the milk, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and currants. Stir until everything is combined.
  4. Scoop the batter into the prepared pudding mold and secure the lid tightly.
  5. Lower the mold into the boiling water so the water reaches halfway up the sides. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Steam for 3 to 4 hours if using suet, or about 90 minutes if using butter.
  6. Check the water level occasionally and add more as needed to keep it halfway up the mold. If the mold floats, place a plate on top and weigh it down with something heavy.
  7. Remove the mold from the water and let it rest for 15 minutes. Carefully invert onto a plate.
  8. Slice into wedges and serve warm with English custard sauce.

Notes

Spotted Dick might have a name that makes you laugh, but it’s serious comfort food.
Warm, dense, lightly sweet, and absolutely made for custard.