Stir-Up Sunday

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today is 'Stir up Sunday', the last Sunday of the Anglican year and the last Sunday before Advent.    It is also the Sunday that, traditionally, the Christmas pudding and Christmas cake are made.  That's what we are busy doing today.  Ella is such a help at cutting all the fruit and nuts.

Christmas Plum Pudding
1/2 c butter                                       1/2 c sugar
1/4 c molasses                                  1 egg
1/2 c milk                                            1 c flour
1/2 c breadcrumbs                         1/2 tsp bk powder
1/2 tsp salt                                           1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg                                   1/2 c raisins
1/2 c currants                                     1/4 c walnuts
Grease and sugar your pudding mould (or bowl as I use).
Cut butter into the dry ingredients.  Add the chopped fruit and nuts.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients.  Spoon into mould and cover with 2 layers of buttered tin foil.  Tie securely.  Steam over medium heat (water half-way up the mould) for 3 hours.

Invert and serve with caramel sauce.

Caramel Sauce
3 Tbsp butter                                         1 c brown sugar
3/4 c water                                             1/4 c milk
2 Tbsp cornstarch                               pinch of salt
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan.  Add brown sugar and stir until melted and bubbly.  Slowly add water and stir until dissolved.  Make a paste with the milk and cornstarch and salt.  Stir into hot mixture.  Reduce heat and cook until thick.  If too thick, thin with a little milk.