Traditional Scottish Clootie Dumpling Recipe

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

1. 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.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, golden syrup, and black treacle until well combined.
3. 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.
4. Prepare a clean cloth by sprinkling it with flour. This will prevent the dumpling from sticking to the cloth.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Enjoy the delicious and comforting taste of traditional Scottish Clootie Dumpling!

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