Steamed syrup sponge with custard
Cooking the pudding takes time but it's very easy and satisfying - especially when served with homemade custard.
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 6 tbsp golden syrup
- 175g/6oz butter, softened
- 175g/6oz soft dark brown sugar
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out
- 4 medium free-range eggs
- 175g/6oz self raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the custard
- 6 free-range egg yolks
- 75²µ/2½´Ç³ú caster sugar
- 200ml/7fl oz milk
- 200ml/7fl oz double cream
- 1 vanilla pod, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out
Method
For the sponge, butter a 1.2litre/2 pint heatproof bowl then pour the golden syrup into the bottom of the bowl.
Place the butter and sugar into a separate bowl and whisk until light and fluffy. Stir in the lemon zest and vanilla seeds. Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition. Fold in the flour and baking powder and mix to form a smooth, thick batter.
Spoon the sponge mixture into the buttered bowl. Take a large piece of greaseproof paper, then a piece of tin foil on top. Fold a pleat down the middle to allow it to expand when cooking and place over the pudding. Secure around the edge using cooks’ string. Fold a large piece of aluminium foil into a long strip and place under the pudding bowl to use as a handle later.
Place a saucer or small plate upside down into the bottom of a large saucepan. Place the foil covered bowl onto the saucer and pour water into the pan to two-thirds of the way up the bowl.
Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1-1½ hours.
For the custard, place the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and whisk until well blended.
Put the milk, cream, vanilla pod and seeds into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for a minute, then pour onto the egg mixture and whisk in.
Return to the saucepan and heat slowly, or until the custard has thickened enough to coat the back of the spoon. Strain through a sieve into a clean pan.
To serve, remove the pudding from the saucepan using the foil strip to help you. Discard the foil and baking parchment.
Place a plate on top of the pudding and turn over, tipping out the pudding onto the plate. Cut the pudding into slices, place on plates and pour the custard alongside.
