The Ultimate Spotted Dick Recipe

By Elaine Lemm

Updated 10/10/18

A bowl of spotted dick pudding
Elaine Lemm
Ratings (31)
  • Total: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Prep: 30 mins
  • Cook: 2 hrs
  • Yield: 6 Portions (6 Servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
438 Calories
23g Fat
55g Carbs
5g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Puddings are the backbone of British food, and one familiar to everyone is the great Spotted Dick. The name of this classic English pudding usually will raise a smile or look of abject horror which is why some prefer the less-well-known title of “Spotted Dog Pudding," but it doesn't quite sound the same.

Spotted Dick is not a pudding for the faint-hearted or those on a diet as made from suet, flour and dried fruit it is high in calories. It is, however, the perfect pudding for a treat on a cold winter's day. And, a little now and again is OK.

Ingredients

  • 4 oz./115 g. raisins
  • 2 oz./55 g. currants
  • 3 oz./75 g. dark brown sugar
  • 1 lemon (zested)
  • 8 oz./225 g. self-raising flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 4 oz./115 g. shredded suet
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 fl oz./55 mL. milk

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a small bowl mix the raisins, currants, sugar, and lemon rind for the filling.

  3. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the suet and the salt and rub together to combine.

  4. Add a little milk and using a knife to cut through the mixture, add more milk little by little until it comes together.

  5. Finally use your hands to combine into a soft, elastic dough. Add more milk if necessary.

  6. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a rectangle about 8 x 12 inches.

  7. Evenly spread the pudding filling mixture over the dough leaving a 1/2-inch border. Paint this with a little cold water.

  8. Roll up carefully from the narrow end.

  9. Soak a clean tea towel or cloth napkin in boiling water for a few minutes. Using tongs, squeeze to remove excess water. (Please be careful doing this!) Then wrap the suet roll pudding in the napkin twisting at each end, securing with kitchen string.

  10. Steam the pudding roll for 2 hours in a steamer.

  11. Alternatively, wrap the pudding suet roll in foil and bake in a hot oven (400 F/200 C/Gas 6) for 1 hour 30 mins.

  12. Unwrap immediately, cut into thick slices, and serve in warmed bowls with lashings of custard.

  13. Enjoy!

Where Does Spotted Dick Get its Name?

It is believed the spotted part refers to the raisins and currants in the dough and the word dick' is a colloquial word for pudding originating from the first word for pudding, a "puddick" or "puddog." 

There are stories around of that the pudding is named after beloved dogs, but there is a little historical fact to back this up. Who cares, though, the pudding is delicious no matter where the name originates.