Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the currants, raisins, apricots, and almonds. Stir in the rum or orange juice and set aside. In another large mixing bowl, beat together 1 pound of the butter, the brown sugar, and the Karo syrup. Add the eggs, cinnamon, allspice, and lemon zest and beat until well mixed. Add the salt and flour and beat well. Add the plumped fruit and mix together thoroughly. Using the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, lightly butter sixteen 6-ounce pudding molds and one side of sixteen 3-inch squares of parchment paper. Divide the mixture equally among the molds. Bang each mold on the work surface to settle the mixture. Top each pudding with a square of the parchment paper, buttered side down. Place the puddings in a large roasting pan, set the pan on the middle rack of the oven, and add hot water to the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the puddings. Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a pudding comes out clean. Remove from the molds and serve hot. | 
