Sauced Butterscotch Pudding

Where I live, the rule of thumb for the first snow fall......seems to be right around Halloween.  Most often, there is not snow on the ground for Halloween, but there can be.  Any time between Halloween and the start of December......we will get snow that stays.  We were quite lucky this year as Halloween night was a beautiful night for trick or treating.  Remembrance Day seemed to bring on the snow and rain.  It really was quite damp and cold....all that slushy snow!  This morning the snow continues and it looks as though the snow may stay.  That will please Ike as construction of the first snow fort of the year is under way.

The change in temperature brings about a new direction in cooking.  More stews and oven baked dishes......and warm desserts.  I had been thinking lately of baked puddings.....and this recipe has sat untried in my recipe binder for at least 5 years.  Finally last night at 10:00pm I decided I must give it a try.  My suggestion was met with some grumbling as the Chocolate Sauce N Cake version of this pudding is so popular in this house, that replacing it with a new and untried recipe was met with a lot of scepticism.  However since I wanted to try this recipe.....after all of these years.....and since no one else was going to get off the couch to help with it....I made the executive decision to try something new!  It was very good!  It makes a Butterscotchy raisin dotted cake with sauce all in one dish.  Very yummy, served with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream or a splash of pouring cream.  I am expecting the delivery of a large box of apples this morning and I think they might make a nice addition the next time around??  Sort of caramel apple-ish?? A very nice last minute recipe as it uses things you probably have on hand and.....it is super quick and easy:)

If you'd like to give it a try, here it is.....

Sauced Butterscotch Pudding
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1/2 cup raisins

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups hot water
Measure first 7 ingredients into a bowl and mix.  Turn into a greased 8 " casserole.  In the empty mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, butter, vanilla and hot water until the sugar is dissolved.  Pour over the batter gently, and do not stir it in.  Bake at 350F for 30 minutes until sauce is on the bottom and a top crust has formed which is firm to the touch and a bit golden.
Variations: add 1/2 tsp cinnamon to sauce before pouring over the batter.  Or for a Mocha Sauce: Omit last 4 ingredients for sauce mix.  Mix 2 Tbsp cocoa and 1 cup brown sugar.  Stir 2 tsp instant coffee into 2 cups hot water.  Add to cocoa sugar mixture.  Pour over batter and bake as usual.