Carina Contini’s traditional Christmas pudding

INGREDIENTS

SERVES 6-8 400ml cold water

250g golden caster sugar 125g unsalted butter

3 tbsp treacle

2 tbsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp ground cloves ½ tsp ground mixed spice

750g dried seedless muscatel raisins, soaked overnight in brandy or marsala

150ml brandy, marsala wine or Glengoyne 10-year-old to soak the raisins

450g plain flour

3 tsp bicarbonate of soda

A pinch of fine sea salt

Sprinkle of granulated sugar

A dash of brandy to set alight