Why it works: Molasses and raisin are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 12% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 3,577 recipes. Both carry ethanol, which smells alcoholic, ethereal. The science ↓
Geaham Pudding
Ingredients
Directions
Make the batter
Combine one cup of molasses, one cup of sugar, one cup of sweet molasses, one teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of soda dissolved in a little warm water.
Add one egg and a piece of butter the size of an egg.
Stir in one cup of graham flour and one cup of raisins.
Steam
Steam for three hours.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 4 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Grape | 1/2 cup (76g) | 62 |
| Molasses | 1 tbsp (20g) | 58 |
| Sugar | 1 tbsp (12.5g) granulated | 49 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Transcribed from a scanned cookbook and modernised for today's kitchens. Where the book gave no heat or time, or said "a moderate oven", the temperatures and times here may be modern equivalents rather than the book's own figures. See the original page.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Molasses + raisintop 12% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together3,577 recipes
Shared aroma: ethanol (alcoholic, ethereal).
-
Raisin + eggtop 23% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together9,556 recipes
Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).
-
Molasses + eggtop 34% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together6,879 recipes
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Molasses
- Adds sweetness, moisture, dark color and a deep flavor to the pudding.
- Soda
- Reacts with the acid in molasses to release gas, helping the pudding rise and turn light.
- Egg
- Binds the batter and helps set the pudding's structure as it cooks.
- Graham flour (in the method)
- Provides the body and structure of the pudding, with a slightly nutty flavor.
- Raisins
- Add chewy texture and concentrated sweetness throughout the pudding.
The step that matters
Dissolve the soda in warm water before adding it. Soda needs to be fully dissolved so it spreads evenly through the batter. Its reaction with the molasses acids produces gas for lift, so uneven distribution leaves dense or patchy spots.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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