Steamed Spotted Dick Recipe with Currants and Lemon
A soft British steamed pudding studded with currants and served warm with custard.
Spotted dick is a British steamed suet pudding dotted with currants or raisins and served with custard. The source offers both a two-hour steaming method and a short oven bake, but the batter is designed to steam; baking it as written can leave it dry. This version uses self-raising flour, cold butter as a home-friendly suet substitute, milk and dried fruit. Pack the batter into a greased pudding basin, cover it securely and steam steadily until a skewer comes out clean. Rest briefly, turn out carefully and serve warm with custard. Grease a 1-litre pudding basin. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer; set a trivet or folded cloth in the base. Combine flour, grated butter, sugar, currants, lemon zest and salt.
Recipe card
Steamed Spotted Dick Recipe with Currants and Lemon
Equipment: 1-litre pudding basin, parchment, foil, kitchen string, deep pot with lid, trivet
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare steamer
Grease a 1-litre pudding basin. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer; set a trivet or folded cloth in the base.
Mix dry ingredients
Combine flour, grated butter, sugar, currants, lemon zest and salt.
Make batter
Stir in milk gradually until a soft, thick dropping batter forms. Spoon into basin and level top.
Cover basin
Cover with pleated parchment and foil, tied securely with string. Leave room for pudding to expand.
Steam
Set basin on trivet. Add boiling water halfway up basin, cover pot and steam gently 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, topping up water as needed.
Rest and serve
Remove basin carefully. Rest 5 minutes, uncover and turn pudding onto a plate. Serve warm with custard.
How to tell when it is ready
Pudding is set and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Tips
- Grate butter while cold.
- Leave expansion room in the basin.
- Keep the water at a gentle simmer and top it up.
- Rest briefly before turning out.
Troubleshooting
- If the mixture is too thick, add liquid a little at a time.
- If browning too quickly, lower the heat and cover loosely.
Substitutions
- Use a similar neutral cooking oil.
- Choose a suitable dairy-free alternative where practical.
Variations
- Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Add a suitable seasonal ingredient without changing the cooking cues.
Serving suggestions
- Serve with warm custard.
- Add a spoonful of cream.
- Pair with tea.
- Offer a little orange marmalade alongside.
Make ahead
Prepare suitable components ahead and store them safely. Refrigerate wrapped pudding up to 3 days; reheat by steaming until hot throughout.
Storage
Refrigerate wrapped pudding up to 3 days; reheat by steaming until hot throughout.
Food safety
Keep hot pudding and custard covered; refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 days. Use care when lifting the hot basin and removing the foil to avoid steam burns.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this ahead?
Prepare suitable components ahead, chill them promptly and finish the dish shortly before serving.
How should I store traditional steamed spotted dick?
Refrigerate wrapped pudding up to 3 days; reheat by steaming until hot throughout.
Serve with warm custard. Refrigerate wrapped pudding up to 3 days; reheat by steaming until hot throughout.
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