Ingredients
225g self-raising flour
pinch salt
2 tsp mixed spice
100g unsalted butter
6 tbs black treacle
50g caster sugar or light muscovado sugar
1/2tsp bicarbonate of soda
6 tbs milk
2 eggs
2 tbs golden syrup, warmed (optional)
Method
Butter and flour a 1.2l pudding basin. In a bowl, sift together the flour, salt and mixed spice. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs. In a pan, warm the treacle with the sugar. In a bowl, mix the bicarbonate of soda with the milk and eggs. Add the warmed treacle and the egg mix to the flour.
Fill the prepared basin with the mixture. Cover with foil, pleated on the top to allow the pudding to rise. Place in a pan filled with water to come halfway up the basin. Bring the water to the boil, cover and steam for 1 1/2 to 2 hrs, topping up with more water as necessary.
Turn the pudding out on to a plate. To make it shine, spoon some golden syrup on top. Serve with liquorice ice cream.