ISO: Family Christmas Steamed Pudding with Hard Sauce

My Grandmother made this special Christmas dessert every year (she died last year) and I am now the caretaker of the family recipe. It was my Great-Great Grandmother's recipe.

Christmas Steamed Pudding w/Hard Sauce

1/2 cup Molasses
2 Tbl sugar
1 Tsp baking soda

add:
1/3 cup hot water
1/2 Tsp salt
1 1/2 cup sifted flour

Add last:
1 heaping cup of chopped cranberries
or 1 cup of apples (I use both)
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Mix in order given. Pour into well-greased large tin cans, no more than 3/4 full. Cover with foil and rubber band into place. Steam for 1 1/2 hours. Make sure cans are covered 3/4 of the way with water during steaming process. I use my Grandmother's old canning pot.

Cool on wire racks, remove bread from cans and wrap in tin foil. Slice 1/2"-1" thickness and serve with hard sauce. Can be made 2-3 days ahead and microwaved after slicing.

Hard Sauce
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream (half and half can be used)
1/2 Tsp vanilla

Melt butter and sugar togther, add the cream, bring just to boil and stir in vanilla. Serve hot over pudding.

I usually make about three batches and come out with five puddings. I give them to my family with the hard sauce as gifts. A little of both goes a long way, this is a very rich dessert and in our house a Christmas tradition. Enjoy.