“Spotted what?”
I hear you. That’s the most common question from the snickering lips of Americans the first time they hear the name of this legendary British dessert. I was among that giggling crowd when I first moved to England for a 7-year stint, being quite naive to British terminology beyond what I had picked up from my favorite older British sitcoms (e.g., Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, Monte Python, etc). And what’s interesting is that despite its immense popularity over the course of at least two centuries, time seems to have lost the origins of its quirky name.
While “spotted” seems simple enough (i.e., the “spots” throughout the pudding from the dried currants), “dick” is the more puzzling of the two terms. Was it referring to the nickname of someone named Richard? Some have wondered if comes from an old English corruption of the word pudding to “puddick.” But who knows? The mystery of Spotted Dick goes on.
The first known recorded recipe of Spotted Dick is found in the mid-19th century cookbook, The Modern Housewife or Ménagère, by Alexis Soyer, one of Britain’s first celebrity chefs who seems to imply that the pudding had already been around for some time.
In any case, Spotted Dick has remained high in popularity over the centuries to the extent that you can find if in tin cans, manufactured by Heinz, in every British grocery store. That was my first exposure to the stuff. I still remember going into a grocery store in England and picking up a can of Spotted Dick on the shelf and thinking “what IS this??” as I showed it to my mom and we both started giggling like school girls.
For my British friends who are wondering what the fuss is all about, you’ll have to Google the name for its anatomical reference to see what Americans find so amusing about it. To tell you myself would make me blush 😉
But to continue, I’ve never been able to get excited about the canned stuff, but homemade? That’s an entirely different story.
Spotted Dick is just one of many great traditional British dishes I was introduced to during the nearly 7 years I lived in England after moving there from Germany. Those were among the best years of my life and I will always consider the UK my second home. My husband also spent two years in England and Wales long before we met. He loves the UK as much as I do and we have both traced our ancestry far back to medieval times; my husband to Cornwall and mine, well, all over the British Isles.
There are many places throughout the UK that we consider favorites. Below are two of my favorite villages in England’s Cotswold region.
Castle Combe, in Wiltshire on the southern-most edge of the Cotswolds, has often been named as the ‘prettiest village in England.’ Originally it was a British hill fort which became occupied by the Romans and later the Normans because of its strategic proximity to The Fosse Way. During the Middle Ages it became an important center for the wool industry and in more recent years has been a popular tourist site and setting for numerous films, including the original Dr. Doolittle with Rex Harrison, a Spielberg film, and more recently Downton Abbey (forgive me, but we’ve just never able to get “into” it. Yes, order up the beheading).
The buildings are several centuries old and listed as ancient monuments. Their stone construction with thick walls and roofs made from spit natural stone tiles are all typical of Cotswold architecture.
Bibury is another village situated in the Cotswolds and many consider it the most picturesque. It’s located in the Gloucestershire region of the Cotswolds and has also been referred to as “the most beautiful village in England” as well as one of the most charming towns in Europe. Arlington Row (below), with its cottages dating to the 1300’s, is one of the most photographed scenes in the Cotswolds. Bibury is also home to the world’s first horse racing club, The Bibury Club, formed in 1681.
A popular tourist attraction and setting for several films (including Stardust and Bridget Jones’ Diary), it was also a favorite spot of Henry Ford. On one of his trips to the Cotswolds he attempted to buy the entire row of houses in Arlington Row and have them shipped back to Michigan to be reassembled there in Greenfield Village. Thank goodness the English said “NO.”
It’s a charming notion to imagine the residents of Castle Combe and Bibury during the Victorian Age sitting down at the table behind these vintage stone walls enjoying a plate of Spotted Dick drizzled with custard sauce at the end of their meal.
Spotted Dick is very, very easy to make and if you’ve never had a steamed pudding before you will be especially tickled to give this a try. Not overly sweet, the sweetness comes mostly from the currants and the custard sauce, which is an absolute must. If you try serving Spotted Dick without the custard sauce the Dickensian police of Victorian England will parade into a time machine and come clobber you over the head with a wooden billy club.
Before we get started I want to say two things about caster sugar, which is the form of sugar traditionally called for in Spotted Dick and most British baking. While very popular in the UK it’s virtually unheard of here in the U.S.. And while it can be found in some gourmet specialty shops it’s very expensive, which is silly because all it is is finely ground granulated sugar. You can make it yourself simply by grinding regular granulated sugar in a coffee or spice grinder for a few seconds.
The other thing I want to point out is that while caster sugar is the best sugar to use for baked goods that don’t bake long and especially for delicate items like meringues, it isn’t required for steamed puddings like Spotted Dick. A primary reason for using caster sugar in the items I just mentioned above is that caster sugar, being so finely ground, dissolves more quickly and you don’t end up with a gritty texture. However, after steaming this pudding for 90 minutes the sugar will be completely dissolved. So it’s your choice whether to use caster or regular sugar.
I also want to mention the topic of shredded beef suet. Every traditional recipe for Spotted Dick calls for it as do many other British pastries and pies, resulting in a superior texture. One of my husband’s favorite things are Cornish Pasties and for the crust there really is no better choice than beef suet. It can be difficult if not near impossible to find in many areas outside of Britain and in more modern times many people are replacing suet with butter anyway. Butter works just fine but the beef suet will result in a moister texture. If however you want to make Spotted Dick the traditional way, give shredded beef suet a try. The brand below, Atora Shredded Beef Suet, has been around since 1893 and has been a household name for over a century.
Let’s get started with our authentic Spotted Dick!
Place the flour, baking soda, salt and beef suet or butter in a food processor.
Spoon the batter into a generously greased pudding mold.
I’m using one of 4 pudding molds I own. The one in the picture holds a quart (about a liter) but most of my other ones are larger, and that’s fine, too. The smallest pudding mold (1.5 liters) with the best reviews I’ve found on Amazon is this one. A great place to find pudding molds is in thrift shops. I found two of mine at Goodwill. The other two I brought with me from Europe.
Place metal cookie cutters, a folded dish towel or crumpled tin foil on the bottom of the stock pot. The pudding mold cannot come in contact with the bottom of the pot or it will scorch the pudding.
Lower the pudding mold into the boiling water so that the water comes up to the halfway point of the mold. You’ll likely need to weight the pudding mold down with something heavy to keep it from bobbing up and down in the water. I use a plate and then put something heavy on top of it, like another bowl.
Cover the stock pot, reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer undisturbed for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove the pudding mold from the water bath and let it rest for 15 minutes. Invert the pudding onto a plate.
Cut the pudding into wedges.
Serve the pudding warm with hot English Vanilla Custard.
Enjoy!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 5 ounces shredded beef suet or 10 tablespoons chilled butter, diced
- ⅔ cup caster sugar or regular granulated sugar (see NOTE)
- 1 cup dried currants (see NOTE)
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons quality vanilla extract
- Zest of one large lemon
- English Custard Sauce for serving (click for recipe)
- Place metal cookie cutters, a folded towel, or crumpled tin foil in the bottom of a large stock pot to prevent the pudding mold from touching the bottom of the pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Generously grease a pudding mold.
- Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and suet (or butter) in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the milk, lemon zest, vanilla extract and currants and stir until combined. Scoop the batter into the prepared pudding mold and secure it tightly with the lid.
- Lower the pudding mold into the boiling water so that the water comes up to the halfway point of the pudding mold. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer undisturbed for 90 minutes.
- Remove the pudding mold from the water and let it sit for 15 minutes. Invert the pudding onto a plate. Slice into wedges and serve warm with English Custard Sauce.
- See NOTE about reheating.
* Dried currants: In the U.S. what is referred to as currants are Zante currants, i.e., Corinth grapes. They're not the same thing as the dried black currants traditionally called for in this dish. i.e., ribes currants. It's near impossible to find the latter in the U.S.. If you have access to true black currants, use them. If not, use the Zante currants (smaller than regular raisins).
REHEATING: The key is just to do it in a way that doesn’t dry out the pudding or render it overly moist and mushy. Two methods: Reheat the same way you cooked it by removing the wrapping and returning the the pudding to the mold to steam it for ¾ to 1 hour or until hot. Or reheat it in the oven: Wrap the pudding in foil and reheat at 300ºF (150ºC) for an hour or until hot.
Interesting recipe and background. Only suggestion I would make, not yet having attempted the recipe, is to clarify that the dried currants are Zante currants, raisins made from Corinthian grapes, rather than the black currants, of the family Ribes, grown in Europe and in North America. Dried black Ribes currants would impart different taste. Of course, who but a Spotted Dick expert would know the difference?
Hi Steve, yes, that’s been a point of frustration. Here in the U.S. it’s darned near impossible to find dried ribes currants so the product I link to in the recipe is the best substitute for those who can’t find ribes currants, which is the Zante currants (smaller than regular raisins).
Can I make ahead, freeze and reheat?
Hi Barbara, yes it can. The key is just to do it in a way that doesn’t dry out the pudding. Two methods: Reheat the same way you cooked it by removing the wrapping and returning the the pudding to the mold to steam it for 3/4 to 1 hour or until hot. Or reheat it in the oven: Wrap the pudding in foil and reheat at 300ºF (150ºC) for an hour or until hot.
I’ve never heard of this before, but it sounds incredible! I also was never able to get into Downton Abbey for some reason (glad I’m not the only one, ha!).
It sounds delicious! And those photos!! Stunning!
How cool that you can trace back your ancestry and that you lived in England for such a long time. What great memories!! And this is so lovely for the holidays!!
Bibury looks charming and your photos are beautiful. This cake looks delicious and I have caster sugar in the pantry.
Great recipe
I remember Spotted Dick from Upstairs Downstairs when Mrs Bridges was going to make it for James in one of the episodes from that wonderful ’70’s series.
I found a pudding mold that is a bit more 1/2 size of yours – I’ll just half or 2/3’s the recipe and go for easy to find ingredients like raisins or Trader Joe’s currants.
Happy Christmas and all that….
Yes, that’s right, Lucille! I love those old British shows 🙂 Yes, you can definitely reduce the quantity – or you can make the full amount and freeze the leftovers. Merry Christmas!
Made it this afternoon as a trial run – used your full recipe in my small pudding mold. Big mistake, overflowed into steamer water. Looked awful.
But, most important of all – DELICIOUS, absolutely DELICIOUS !!!!
I can only imagine what this will be like on Christmas Day, made properly, and topped off with custard sauce. WOW !!!!
BTW – made with regular sugar, butter, raisins, and nonfat milk.
Fantastic, Lucille!! Thanks so much for the feedback. Isn’t it wonderful how easy this is to make, and with such fabulous results? I’ve already made it twice in the last 7 days, my husband especially loves it. And oh my goodness, if you thought it was delicious without the custard sauce, just WAIT until you’ve tried it drizzled with the custard, that will bump it up by at least a hundred notches of deliciousness! Thanks again and Merry Christmas! 🙂
I bet the vanilla custard sauce is amazing!
I’m jealous that you lived in England! I’ve always heard of this recipe, but never really knew what it was… looks yummy!!
I’ve never had Spotted Dick but I love the story (and pics) and am so intrigued after reading it!
I’ve never gotten over the fact that my parents had the chance to move to England for a short time and turned it down! But this looks delicious, and the name makes me smile! 🙂
I am never without a pack of Atora in my fridge, especially at this time of year when it is traditional to have suet dumplings in stew.
I really want to try making this now. thanks for sharing
Okay, I will admit it- I totally giggled when I saw the recipe title and had to do a double take, lol. 😉 But it certainly looks delicious! Is it similar to a bread pudding as far as texture goes?
It certainly is a conversation piece of a name, isn’t it, Carrie? 😉 It’s a steamed pudding, so it has a fairly moist but firm crumb – firmer than many steamed puddings because, unlike others, Spotted Dick traditionally doesn’t use egg.
This is one of my husband’s favorite desserts! I’ll definitely be making this for him!
I do snicker when I hear the name of this dish, but it looks completely delicious!
The photos of those stone walled cottages are simply charming! I’ve heard of this dessert before but have never seen (or looked) for a recipe for it. It looks like a delicious cake with all those currants and that custard sauce!
I feel so out of the loop because I’ve never heard of this before! It’s so interesting! The photos are beautiful.
This sounds amazing! And I love you pictures!! YUM!
This has been on my “to try” list for AGES! It definitely looks mouthwatering – love the height…and oh my gosh – that custard! Of course, I also dream of staying in one of those cottages. But um, how would Ford think he could have them shipped overseas and keep their integrity? Weird.
Wow! Bibury looks like a beautiful village! What a great cake too!
Love all the history behind this dish that you shared – so interesting!
I’ve seen the canned stuff in places like World Market and I always get a giggle out of it – never knowing what it really was. This looks so delightful! If it was served and I just presumed it was cake I would never have guessed! I always learn amazing things when I visit your site! Thanks so much for sharing all of your culinary adventures, history and background with us.
Guilty! I was totally smiling like a 10 year old boy who heard a bad word. Seriously though, I actually never knew what it was and now, hold the phone, it sounds delicious!
Haha. Yeah. I totally laughed when I read the title. 😀 Love the history behind it!
What a beautiful dessert!! Very festive and delicious!!
There used to be a bar in Toronto, my hometown, called the Spotted Dick. I knew it was a British recipe but never knew what it actually WAS until now!
I never knew that! Always wondered! These looks delightful!
OMG! England has been on my bucket list since I was 20! I would love to try this Spotted Dick and experience a bit of England with this dessert!
The name of the pudding Spotted Dick can raise a few giggles over here in England – the second part has the same meaning as the one you’re thinking of. One council canteen renamed the pudding to Spotted Richard on their menu to cut out the lunch-time innuendos.
That’s hilarious, Tony! So it isn’t just the Americans who giggle over it after all 🙂
Can’t wait to try this– have been hearing about it on “As Time Goes By” ! Will have to use butter as we don’t eat beef.
Wonderful, Peggy! Butter will work perfectly fine. Enjoy! 🙂
has any one tried sticky toffee pudding? Another great English recipe.
Sticky toffee pudding is terrific, Ade, I’m planning to post my recipe for it before too long 🙂