Sussex Puddle Pudding Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Prick the lemons all over with a skewer. Cut the butter into fine dice and chill.
• 2. Combine the flour and suet (or grated butter) in a bowl and add the milk. Knead to form a dough. Divide it into 2 rough balls, comprising of a third and two-thirds of the mix respectively. Flour a worktop and roll out the larger ball. Use it to line the base and sides of a buttered, 1.5-litre pudding basin.
• 3. Fill the pudding with half the cold butter cubes and half the sugar. Pop the whole lemons on top, then top with the rest of the sugar and butter. Roll out the smaller ball of dough to make a lid for the pudding (this will become the base so make it nice and thick). Brush the edges of the lid with water, put on top of the pudding and press to seal.
• 4. Cover with a circle of baking paper and tie under the rim of the basin with kitchen string to secure. Before cutting the string, take it up over the top to create a loose handle, then tie securely. Trim off any excess baking paper. Place the basin in a large pan and pour hot water into the pan until it reaches two-thirds of the way up its sides of the basin. Cover and simmer for 3 to 3½ hours. Keep an eye on the water level, and top up as necessary. Allow the pudding to rest for 10 minutes before carefully turning out onto a serving dish. When serving, ensure everyone gets a little of the lemon. Serve with cream or ice cream.

Steps:

• Put a clean dish towel in the bottom of a large stockpot; fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cover, and let simmer until ready to use.
• Place flour, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine. Add 1/2 cup butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds.
• While the machine is running, add 8 tablespoons of ice water to the mixture, and process until the dough just holds together. Wrap the dough in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Remove two-thirds of the dough (leave remaining dough in refrigerator). Roll out to 1/8-inch thickness, and line a 1-quart pudding bowl or souffle dish with the dough.
• Roll out the remaining dough. Layer the lined pudding bowl with half the light-brown sugar and 1/8 cup butter. Prick lemon all over with the point of a paring knife. Place lemon in center of bowl, sprinkle with remaining sugar and butter, and cover with remaining dough. Trim edges.
• Place a 10-inch circle of waxed paper over bowl. Secure with a rubber band. Place in stockpot with towel and simmering water that comes halfway up the sides of the bowl. Cover; steam for 5 hours, making sure the water remains at a bare simmer. Add more water if necessary. Transfer from heat, and invert pudding onto a serving platter; serve immediately.