Can't help humming "We wish you a merry Christmas" when I hear the term "figgy pudding." And it wouldn't be out of place when picking up the 2-pounder at Surdyk's, which has been soaked in brandy for the past few weeks. Surdyk's suggests serving the Bundt-shaped concoction warm with a side of hard sauce, but my crowd ate every last crumb when it was dished up simply as is.
No idea what figgy pudding is? Well, it's vaguely like a fruitcake but definitely better, according to my tastebuds. Figgy pudding -- also known as Christmas pudding or plum pudding (think Tiny Tim) -- is a traditional English dessert, definitely a cake, that's chock full of dried fruits and plenty of booze. Though this hints strongly of fruitcake, Dorie Greenspan, the baker and cookbook author, compares it to a spice cake (Surdyk's recipe is adapted from hers). The "pudding" includes figs (not surprisingly), along with dried cranberries and dried cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and, of course, plenty of brandy.
Surdyk's will be selling through Christmas and maybe New Year's, depending on interest. "We won't go until we get some, we won't go until we get some ... "
$34, 2-plus pounds, available at Surdyk's, 303 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-379-3232, and at Surdyk's Flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, 612-727-2323.
