Bettina's Steamed Fig Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda (Originally soda. Substituted with baking soda.)
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 2/3 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon Lemon extract
• 1/2 cup Molasses
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/2 cup Butter or vegetable shortening (Originally suet, chopped fine. Substituted with butter or vegetable shortening.)
• 1/3 cup Chopped figs
• 1/3 cup Stoned raisins
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup Hot water
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (Or 1 teaspoon lemon extract.)

Instructions

1. 1In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the butter or vegetable shortening, chopped figs, raisins, molasses, and milk. Stir well until combined.
2. 2Stir in the lemon extract.
3. 3Fill a well-buttered pudding mold two-thirds full with the pudding mixture.
4. 4Steam the pudding for 90 minutes, ensuring the water is boiling throughout the steaming process.
5. 5In a separate bowl, beat the egg vigorously. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the hot water and stir vigorously. Add the lemon juice.
6. 6Serve the hot pudding with the foamy sauce. (The sauce may be reheated if desired.)