As we learned some time ago, pudding isn’t always creamy and cake & pie were sometimes interchangeable in “the olden days.” This is an instance of a pudding that will be more like a cake. It’s likely similar to “figgy pudding” as referenced in Christmas carols, and may remind some people of bread pudding with it’s more bread-like structure. As to why it’s called “economy pudding” my guess is that these ingredients were close at hand or easy to come by for not much money during the Great Depression and the years after that. It’s crazy to think that these days, dates are expensive and hard to find!

Economy Pudding

Mix and sift 3 cups sifted flour, 1 teaspoon soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1 teaspoon cloves. Combine with 1 cup finely chopped dates or raisins. Mix 7/8 cup finely chopped suet, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup sour milk and combine with the first mixture. Pour into a greased mold and steam about 4 hours. Serve with fruit or hard sauce.

Economy Pudding

3 cups flour

1 t soda

1 t salt

2 t cinnamon

1 t cloves

1 cup finely chopped dates or raisins

7/8 cup finely chopped suet (shortening is fine)

1 cup sugar

1 cup sour milk

Mix together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon & cloves. Mix in chopped dates or raisins. In another bowl, combine suet (shortening), sugar and sour milk. Beat well. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat well.

Pour into a greased mold (maybe use an angel cake pan?) and steam 4 hours until done.

Serve with fruit or hard sauce.

PS Sorry I missed you for a few weeks, life got in the way.