Clootie Dumpling - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups self-rising flour
1 3/4 cups dried currants
1 2/3 cups raisins
1/4 pound shredded suet
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon molasses

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to boil.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, currants, raisins, suet, bread crumbs and sugar. Mix egg and milk with mixed spice, baking powder, salt and molasses. Stir into flour mixture to form a wet dough.
Dip a heavy cotton cloth in boiling water and then sprinkle it with flour. Place dough in center of cloth, draw opposite corners together to form a ball, leaving a bit of room for the dumpling to expand, and tie tightly with twine to seal.
Place the dumpling in the boiling water, reduce heat to a low boil, and cook 3 1/2 hours, topping water off as needed. Remove the dumpling from the water, remove the cloth and dry the dumpling in front of a fire or in a 150 degree oven until surface is no longer wet. Serve.