Clootie Dumpling is a classic Scottish dessert that is usually enjoyed during special occasions like Christmas or Hogmanay. This recipe uses a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and suet, which are wrapped in a cloth and boiled for a few hours. The result is a moist and flavorful pudding-like dessert that is best served with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of warm custard. Follow this authentic recipe to recreate this traditional Scottish delight in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup suet
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, and sultanas)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup golden syrup or molasses
- 1/4 cup black treacle or dark corn syrup
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, suet, brown sugar, dried fruits, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and baking soda. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, golden syrup, and black treacle until well combined.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until you form a sticky dough. Add a little more milk if the mixture seems too dry.
- Prepare a clean cloth by sprinkling it with flour. This will prevent the dumpling from sticking to the cloth.
- Transfer the dough onto the floured cloth and shape it into a ball. Tie the cloth securely with kitchen twine, leaving some space for the dumpling to expand.
- Place a heatproof plate or trivet at the bottom of a large pot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the plate or trivet, and bring it to a boil.
- Carefully lower the wrapped dumpling into the boiling water, making sure it is fully submerged. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer gently for about 3 hours, adding more water if necessary to keep the dumpling submerged.
- After 3 hours, carefully remove the dumpling from the water and let it cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve slices of the warm dumpling with whipped cream or custard.
- Enjoy the delicious and comforting taste of traditional Scottish Clootie Dumpling!
