Christmas pudding

1. Combine fruitcake mix, sugar, water, butter, salt, mixed spice, glacé cherries and ginger in a saucepan. Bring to the boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat
and allow to cool.
2. Stir in bicarbonate of soda and
set aside.
3. Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl, stir into the cooled fruit mixture.
4. Add nuts, stir in beaten eggs,
and mix well.
5.. Pour into a greased pudding basin, cover with greased wax paper, and tie brown paper or a cotton cloth securely over the wax paper.
6. Place in a large saucepan with enough water to cover halfway up the basin,
steam with cover on for 1¼ hours.
7. Decorate with walnuts and sugar syrup. Serve hot with brandy sauce, or
warm custard.