Brandied English Christmas Pudding

In a large mixing bowl, combine prunes, currants, apricots, cherries, orange peel, cinnamon,ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Pour the 1/3 cup brandy over all. Stir to just combine the ingredients. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes or until the brandy is absorbed.

In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, brown sugar, flour, and baking powder. Add to fruit mixture; stir to combine.

In the same bowl, combine the eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir into fruit mixture, along with the almonds. Grease and flour a 6- or 7-cup tower mold with lid (or use foil for lid).

Spoon pudding into prepared mold. Smooth top. Adjust cover or press foil tightly against rim of mold. Place mold on a rack in a deep kettle. Add boiling water to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Cover the kettle. Steam pudding over low heat, adding more water, if necessary, for about 1-1/4 hours or until a wooden skewer inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes; unmold. Serve pudding warm.

To serve, if you like, heat the 1/4 cup brandy in a small heavy saucepan over low heat until just warm. Ignite with a match and carefully pour over warm pudding on a heatproof plate. Serve with Brandy Butter. Makes 10 servings.