Basic Sponge Pudding Recipes

SYRUP SPONGE PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a two pint heat proof bowl or basin.
• In large bowl, cream together margarine and sugar. Add, a little at a time, beaten eggs, vanilla and flour, until well mixed. Fold in milk to make a smooth consistency.
• Pour syrup in bottom of prepared basin and layer batter over the top. Cover basin with firmly tied parchment paper covered with foil. Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place basin on towel, inside roasting pan, and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the basin.
• Steam in the oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until pudding springs back when touched. Invert onto serving plate and serve warm.

EVE'S PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C (350F) or 160C (325F) Fan Setting. Peel and core the apples then slice into small pieces. Heat the butter in a small saucepan and add the apples, cinnamon and brown sugar.
• Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until the apples have softened. If you prefer the apples to be really soft then cook them for longer. Set aside to cool down while you prepare the sponge batter.
• Sift the baking powder, flour and caster sugar into a mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer).
• Add the softened butter, eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Start mixing on a low speed setting and gradually increase the speed to maximum until the batter is smooth. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to make sure everything is well mixed.
• Grease a deep baking dish (I used a glass Pyrex dish measuring 8x11 inches) with butter. Spread the apples on the bottom of the dish.
• Pour the sponge over the apples and spread it evenly using a spatula (gently so as not dislodge the apples).
• Scatter some flaked almonds over the sponge (this is entirely optional - I just like the look of it) and bake in a preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until golden and risen.
• Cool slightly then serve warm with vanilla custard or ice cream. This recipe serves six very generously or you can stretch it to feed eight if you cut smaller slices.

SIMPLE JAM SPONGE PUDDING

Steps:

• Grease the inside of four 175ml (6fl oz) pudding basins with butter. Put 1tbsp of jam in the bottom of each and put to one side. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6.
• Whisk together the butter and orange zest with a small electric whisk until smooth. Whisk in the caster sugar until thoroughly combined - about 10min - then gradually whisk in the egg. Fold in flour, then sufficient orange juice to give a soft dropping consistency. Spoon on top of the jam and smooth the surfaces.
• Butter four discs of foil, measuring about 12.5cm (5in) across, and cover the puddings with them, folding under the rim to secure. Put the basins in a large roasting tin. Pour in enough boiling water to come at least halfway up their sides. Cook for 45min or until the puddings are risen, cooked to the centre and golden brown on top. Lift out of the roasting tin, unmould when ready and serve with pouring cream or custard.

APPLE SPONGE EVE'S PUDDING

Steps:

• Butter the sides and base of a medium-sized ovenproof dish measuring approx. 20cm/8" x 14cm/5.5" x 6cm/2.5" deep.
• Preheat the oven to 170 deg fan assisted.
• Peel and core the apples. Slice them into chunks. Gently stew with 2 tablespoons of water for a few moments until softened.
• Pour the stewed apples into the prepared dish.
• In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go along.
• Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, adding a little flour in between to help prevent curdling. Mix until well combined.
• Add the vanilla extract and remaining flour. Mix until well combined. Do not over beat as you will over stretch the gluten in the flour.
• Pour the cake batter evenly over the top of the stewed apples.
• Bake in the centre of the oven for 40 mins. Or until baked. Testing the centre of the sponge in various places, with a skewer until it comes out clean.

EASY MICROWAVE SPONGE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a bowl cream the Butter and Sugar together untill smooth.
• Add in the Eggs, and beat quickly so that it does not curdle (You could add a tbsp of flour at this point - if you are worried about it curdling).
• Once the Eggs are combined, add in all of the Flour, and combine together, try to get as much air in the mixture as possible.
• Grease a separate bowl with a little butter. In the bottom of the bowl put in your topping, (eg - Jam).
• Once the Jam is in the bottom, add the sponge mixture on top of the Jam and level out slightly.
• Cover with cling film or a plate and microwave for about 6-8 minutes (Time may vary on individual microwaves - so if you think it needs more time dont worry - you cant over cook the sponge - just be carefull if you have used chocolate spread this can burn)
• Once cooked remove the cling film or plate (be carefull it will be hot). Place a large plate over the top of the bowl - holding the bowl and plate together - flip the bowl upside down and the sponge should land on the plate. Take the bowl off, cut into 4 and serve with custard.

LEMON DELICIOUS SELF SAUCING PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 170 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease an ovenproof casserole/baking dish and set aside (minimum of 2 litre/8cup capacity).
• Beat the caster sugar, butter and grated lemon zest together until pale and creamy.
• Beat in the egg yolks one by one.
• Beat in the lemon juice, plain flour and full cream milk. Set aside.
• Beat the egg whites until firm peaks have formed. Gently mix through the lemon mixture with a spoon.
• Pour into the prepared casserole/baking dish. Place the dish into a large pan and fill halfway up the side with boiling water (to create a water bath around the baking dish).
• Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly golden and firm on the top and a sauce has formed underneath (it should be wobbly at the bottom).
• Dust with icing sugar and serve while warm with cream or ice-cream.
• Preheat oven to 170 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease an ovenproof casserole/baking dish and set aside (minimum of 2 litre/8cup capacity).
• Place the caster sugar, butter and grated lemon zest into the Thermomix bowl and mix for 10 seconds on Speed 5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat for a further 20 seconds or until pale and creamy.
• With the blades turning on Speed 3, add in the egg yolks one by one through the MC hole.
• Add the lemon juice, plain flour and full cream milk through the MC hole and continue mixing for 10 seconds or until combined. Set aside.
• In a completely clean and dry Thermomix bowl, insert the butterfly and beat the egg whites on Speed 3.5 until firm peaks have formed. Gently mix through the lemon mixture with a spoon.
• Pour into the prepared casserole/baking dish. Place the dish into a large pan and fill halfway up the side with boiling water (to create a water bath around the baking dish).
• Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly golden and firm on the top and a sauce has formed underneath (it should be wobbly at the bottom).
• Dust with icing sugar and serve while warm with cream or ice-cream.