Figgy Pudding

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 cup milk
• 2 apples
• 2 pounds figs, ground
• to taste peel of 1 lemon and 1 orange
• 1 cup nuts
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 ½ cups bread crumbs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 large egg whites, stiffly whipped
• 1 strip bacon
• 1 teaspoon hard sauce

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Generously grease an oven-proof 2-quart bowl or mold.
3. Set aside.
4. Cream together the butter and shortening.
5. Gradually add sugar, egg yolks, milk, extract, apple, figs, lemon and orange peel.
6. Add the next 6 ingredients, mixing well.
7. Fold the whipped egg whites into the mixture.
8. Pour into the prepared bowl or mold.
9. Place into a large shallow pan.
10. Place on the middle rack in the oven.
11. Fill the shallow pan half-full with boiling water.
12. Slowly steam the pudding in the oven at 325°F for 4 hours, replacing water as needed.