Ingredients:

• 2 cups – Mixed dried fruit
• 1/2 cup – dried Cranberries
• 3/4 cup – pitted dried dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup – diced dried Apricots
• 1 cup – sultanas
• 1/2 cup – red glace cherries, quartered
• 1 cup – firmly packed Brown sugar
• 125 gms – butter, chopped
• 1 tsp – bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp – finely grated Orange rind
• 2 – Eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup – plain flour
• 1 cup – self-raising flour
• 2 tsp – mixed spice
• 1/4 cup – brandy
• To Serve:
• Fresh Cherries
• Icing Sugar mixture
• Custard

Method:

1. Grease an 8-cup-capacity metal pudding steamer. Line base with baking paper.
2. Place  mixed dried fruit, cranberries, dates, apricots, sultanas, cherries, sugar, butter and 1 cup cold water in a heavy-based saucepan over medium-high heat.
3. Stir until butter has melted and sugar is dissolved.
4. Bring to the boil. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Stir in bicarbonate of soda. Transfer to a heatproof bowl.
6. Set aside for 30 minutes to cool.
7. Stir in orange rind, egg, flours, mixed spice and brandy until well combined. Spoon into prepared steamer. Smooth top. Secure lid.
8. Place steamer in a large saucepan. Carefully pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up side of steamer. Cover pan. Place over medium heat.
9. Boil for 4 hours 30 minutes, topping up boiling water during cooking.
10. Remove pan from heat. Carefully lift steamer from water. Stand for 10 minutes.
11. Remove lid. Turn out pudding.
12. Decorate with cherries and dust with icing sugar.
13. Serve warm or cold with custard