Figgy duff is Christmas in a pudding bag. Newfoundlanders have always called raisins ‘figs’, and the duff is a simple boiled pudding packed with them, born of the same frugal genius as every other great Newfoundland dessert. It was a staple of Christmas Eve, when the pudding went into the pot early and simmered away while the house filled with its sweet, spicy scent. The old Christmas carol ‘The Figgy Duff’ even sings about wanting some — proof of how dearly it was loved.
What makes it great is its no-nonsense goodness: a dense, tender crumb studded with plump, sweet raisins and warm spice, boiled until it’s steamy and sliceable. It’s not fancy, and it doesn’t need to be — a knob of butter melting into it or a pour of warm molasses sauce is all it asks. Serve it at Christmas, or any cold night when you need a taste of tradition.
