Traditional pudding full of fruit

A richly spiced fruit pudding, the clootie dumpling is a traditional Scottish dessert full of satisfying flavour

Rich, sweet and filling, the clootie dumpling is a traditional Scottish spiced fruit pudding often brought out at Hogmanay or to round off a Burns Night supper. It is named after the cloot or clout, the Scots word for cloth, in which it is wrapped and simmered. A clean pillowcase has historically been used as the cloot, though a tea towel, linen or muslin cloth will work just as well. Various traditions are associated with the making of this pudding, one being the stirring in of various charms, such as a coin which promises wealth or a ring signalling marriage. Another is for everyone present to slap, or skelp, the pudding into shape. An important characteristic is the glutinous ‘skin’ which forms on the outside during cooking. Traditionally, when the cloth was removed, the dumpling was warmed by the fire to form a crust. Today, it is more often placed in the oven, though some prefer the skin as it is. Either way, it is delicious sliced and served with custard or cream.