Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 3/4 cups
- Dark Molasses: 1/2 cup
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (melted)
- Strongly Brewed Black Tea: 1 cup (hot)
- Crushed Juniper Berries: 1 tablespoon
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup
- Ground Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves): 2 teaspoons total
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan or an 8×8 inch baking dish. Crush the juniper berries and steep them in the hot brewed tea for 10 minutes; strain the tea to remove the berries and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground spices, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, molasses, and egg until well combined.
- Step 3: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Once partially mixed, slowly pour in the strained warm juniper tea and mix until the batter is smooth but do not overmix.
- Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The pudding should be dark, moist, and slightly springy to the touch.
- Step 5: Allow the pudding to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a cooling rack. Serve the pudding warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla cream sauce or whipped mascarpone.
Notes
- Store leftover pudding tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week, knowing the deep spices will actually intensify overnight.
- If reheating, warm individual slices wrapped loosely in foil in a 300°F oven for about 8 minutes to help retain the pudding's luxurious moisture better than microwaving.
- For the best contrast, serve warm slices topped with a generous dollop of cold whipped mascarpone or crème fraîche and a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg.
- Chef's Tip: Be absolutely certain you strain the juniper-infused tea completely after steeping; leaving whole berry fragments in the batter can lead to overly bitter spots in the finished pudding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American