Traditional British Christmas Pudding

Ingredients

• butter or shortening, for greasing
• 1 pound figs
• 12 ounces raisins
• 1 cup beef suet (raw, hard fat of beef)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cups milk