Dumplings and Cocky’s Joy


(Australia)
Serves 4 to 6 (makes about 12 dumplings)

INGREDIENTS

For the Syrup

½ cup golden syrup
½ cup light muscovado or other unrefined sugar
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into chunks

For the Dumplings

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
2 large eggs
¼ cup milk

Equipment

Large, wide pot or skillet with a cover

PREPARATION

1. Make the Syrup: Pour 1½ cups water into the large pot. Stir in the golden syrup, sugar, and butter, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to very, very low and cover to keep the syrup hot until it’s time to add the dumplings.

2. Make the Batter: While the syrup is simmering, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and work it into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or 2 butter knives until the mixture looks like a coarse, damp meal.

3. Whisk the eggs and milk together in small bowl. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix until all the liquid has been absorbed and you have a thick, slightly lumpy batter. Do not overmix. This batter should not sit around. Once mixed, it should be dropped immediately into the syrup.

4. Cook the Dumplings: Scoop up a heaping tablespoon of batter. Use another spoon or your finger to move the batter gently off the spoon and into the syrup. Drop in spoonfuls of the remaining batter, leaving as much space as you can around each. You will get 10 to 12 dumplings. Cover, raise the heat to medium, and cook for
10 minutes. Uncover and cook for 5 minutes longer.

5. Carefully scoop up the cooked dumplings with a slotted spoon and serve covered with the hot syrup. These dumplings are great as is or topped with vanilla ice cream.

© Recipe courtesy of Wai Hon Chu

Dumplings and Cocky’s Joy