Christmas Pudding - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups mixed dried fruit
3/4 cup dried pitted dates, finely chopped
3/4 cup raisins, finely chopped
1 cup firmly brown sugar
7 tbsp butter, chopped
1 tsp baking soda
2 None eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1 tsp mixed spice, such as pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp dark rum
None None Cream, to serve

Preparation

Combine dried fruit, sugar, butter and 3/4 cup water in medium saucepan. Stir on medium heat until butter has melted and sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, for 6 mins. Stir in baking soda. Transfer to large bowl; cool to room temperature.
Stir in eggs, sifted dry ingredients and rum.
Grease 2-quart pudding basin; spoon mixture into basin. Top with pleated parchment paper and foil (to allow pudding to expand as it cooks); secure with kitchen string.
Place in large saucepan with enough boiling water to come halfway up side of basin. Cover with tight-fitting lid. Boil for 4 hours, replenishing water as necessary to maintain level. Let stand for 10 mins. Invert onto plate. Serve with cream.