Steamed Plum Pudding

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

4 slices soft white bread

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground mace

3 eggs

½ cup shortening

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup molasses

½ cup raisins

½ cup currants

½ cup dried plums

¼ teaspoon orange extract

Brandy, to serve (optional)

Whipped cream, to serve (optional)

In a large stockpot, bring 3 to 4 quarts of water to a boil. Coat the inside of a 7-cup steamed pudding mold with cooking spray, then add the granulated sugar and shake to evenly coat the sides and bottom of the mold.

In a food processor, pulse the bread until reduced to fine, soft crumbs. Add the flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and mace, then pulse several times to mix. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

In the food processor, combine the eggs, shortening, brown sugar and molasses. Process until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the raisins, currants, prunes and orange extract. Pulse until the fruit is chopped, but not pureed.

Return the dry ingredients to the processor and pulse just enough to thoroughly mix them with the wet ingredients. You likely will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice between pulses.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared mold, then tightly seal with the cover (or with several layers of foil tied tight with twine). Place the mold in the stockpot; the water should come about halfway up the mold.

Cover the stockpot and lower the heat to maintain an even simmer. Steam the pudding for 2 hours. Remove the mold from the stockpot, uncover the mold and let cool for 15 minutes.

Unmold the pudding by inverting it onto a plate. If desired, drizzle the pudding with brandy, then slice and serve topped with whipped cream.

Serves 10 to 12.