Description
Jamie Oliver’s Sponge Pudding is a traditional British dessert made with a light sponge cake batter, often steamed or baked, and served with a delicious sauce like custard, caramel, or fruit syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 150g (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
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- 150g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
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- 3 large eggs
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- 150g (1 1/4 cups) self-raising flour
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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- 2 tablespoons milk
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- Optional: 3 tablespoons jam, golden syrup, or treacle for the base
For Serving:
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- Custard, cream, or ice cream
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven or Prepare the Steamer
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- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) if baking. Alternatively, prepare a steamer for stovetop cooking. Grease a 1-liter (4-cup) pudding basin or ovenproof dish.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
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- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
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- Gradually beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Fold in the Flour
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- Sift the self-raising flour into the bowl and gently fold it into the mixture. Add the milk to create a smooth batter.
Step 5: Prepare the Pudding Basin
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- If using jam, golden syrup, or treacle, spoon it into the base of the prepared basin or dish.
Step 6: Add the Batter
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- Spoon the batter into the basin, smoothing the top. Cover tightly with a layer of parchment paper and aluminum foil.
Step 7: Bake or Steam
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- To bake: Place the basin in a roasting tray filled halfway with boiling water. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the sponge is golden and springy.
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- To steam: Place the basin in a steamer or large saucepan with water halfway up the sides. Steam for 1.5-2 hours, checking the water level occasionally.
Step 8: Serve
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- Turn the pudding out onto a plate and serve warm with custard, cream, or ice cream.