Combine Minute Tapioca, sugar, cherries, cherry juice, and butter, and let stand while crust is being made. Sift flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift again. Cut in shortening. Add milk gradually, stirring until soft dough is formed. Turn out on slightly floured board and knead 30 seconds, or enough to shape. Roll ⅔ of dough in strip, 2 inches wide and ¼ inch thick; fit into 8 × 8 × 2-inch pan, lining sides well. Fill with cherry mixture. Roll remaining ⅓ of dough ¼ inch thick; with sharp knife make slits to permit escape of steam. Fit over cherries, pressing edges together. Bake in hot oven (450°F.) 15 minutes; reduce heat to moderate (350°F.); bake 20 minutes longer.
Christmas Plum Pudding
2 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons Calumet Baking Powder
½ teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ cup chopped figs