Literally “unemployed or poor man’s pudding.” Originally from Quebec, this depression dessert is really a cake batter that’s covered with hot syrup before baking. The cake rises up and mixes with the syrup, making little pools of spongy wonderfulness and bubbling caramel.
Like any good poverty food, this is easy to make, tasty, and keeps you full and warm on a cold day.
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup flour (I used Pamela’s Gluten-Free Baking Mix)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup dried currants
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Combine flour, white sugar, salt, baking powder, raisins, currants, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix well to combine and then pour into a buttered 2-quart casserole.
Combine brown sugar, water, and butter in a saucepan. Boil for 5 minutes. Pour over hot mixture into casserole over the batter, being careful not to mix.
Bake until topping is golden and firm to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Let rest ofter baking for 15 minutes to let the sauce thicken up a bit. Best served warm.
The Verdict Verdict: 
Sweet, rich, and tender – you will not feel the least bit impoverished while eating this. I made this for a friend’s birthday and it was a hit.
The Nutrition:
There is no such thing as poor diet food.
One year ago – Chili Verde
Two years ago – Siberian Ribs
I make a decent salary but the insurance premiums make me a poor man, so I qualify for this dessert! Yay!