Melt butter in 1/2 cup boiling water.

Separately, dissolve baking soda in 1/2 cup cold water.

Mix all dry ingredients, add wet ingredients and stand overnight.

Steam 2 and a half hours and serve.

If, like me, you haven’t steamed a pudding before seeing this recipe, here are some instructions on steaming:

• Set Up the Saucepan

  • Place a heatproof trivet (like an upside-down saucer or a ball of foil) in the bottom of a large saucepan.

  • Place the prepared pudding basin on the trivet.

• Add Water

  • Pour just-boiled water into the saucepan until it reaches about halfway up the side of the pudding basin.

• Steam

  • Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

  • Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle, steady simmer.