Christmas Figgy Pudding

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

To flambe, drizzle dark rum over the top of the figgy puddings, carefully ignite with a lighter or matches and receive obligatory applause.