Clootie Dumpling

Whenever there is a birthday in the family Mary's mum, May, makes a clootie dumpling to celebrate. Since it was my birthday in the week preceding our last visit I got the traditional alternative to a birthday cake.


Clootie dumpling in the pan


Clootie dumpling out of the pan


Clootie dumpling unwrapped

There are many variations on the Clootie Dumpling recipe - this is May's version.

Clootie Dumpling recipe

1 1/2 lb Self Raising Flour
6oz Currants
6oz Sultanas
3 teaspoons Cinnamon
3 teaspoons Ground Ginger
3 teaspoons Mixed Spice
3 dessertspoons Treacle
3 dessertspoons Syrup
3oz vegetable suet
3oz caster sugar
1/2 pint milk (approx)

Mix dry ingredients, add treacle and syrup.
Mix until moist with milk.
Add fruit and stir through
Scald cloth with boiling water, sprinkle with SR flour
Place dumpling mixture in centre of cloth
Tie cloth with string leaving room for expansion

Steam for 3 hours.
Remove cloth, place dumpling on plate and dry in oven (100C for 15 minutes)