Superb English Plum Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. raisins
• 1 lb. golden raisins
• ½ lb. dried currants
• 1 cup thinly sliced candied citron
• 1 cup chopped candied orange peel
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. mace
• ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. ground cloves
• ¼ tsp. allspice
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. vegetable shortening, frozen, or shredded suet, finely chopped
• 1¼ cups cognac or brandy
• Unsalted butter, softened, for pans
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup sherry or port
• 1¼ lb. fresh breadcrumbs
• 12 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar, plus more for serving
• 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
• 1 tsp. cognac or brandy, divided, plus more for serving
• crème anglaise, to serve
• 4 (1½ qt.) steamed pudding molds