Steamed syrup sponge
(from Elyce123’s recipe box)
Source: delicious. March 2005
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 120 minutes
Serves 8 people
Categories: March
Ingredients
- softened butter, for greasing
- 4 tbsp golden syrup, plus extra for drizzling
- 175g self-raising flour
- 175g cold butter, diced
- 125g golden caster sugar
- finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2-3 tbsp milk
Directions
-
Grease a 1.2-litre pudding basin with a little softened butter. Pour the golden syrup into the bottom of the basin and set aside.
- Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl with a pinch of salt. Add the butter, sugar and lemon zest. Rub the ingredients together until you have a mixture that resembles breadcrumbs.
- Mix the beaten eggs into the flour with the milk and beat well until you have a dropping consistency – add a little more milk if it looks too thick. Spoon into the basin. Cover with baking paper and foil, and secure with string.
- Place a trivet or an upturned saucer in a large saucepan with a lid – keep the pudding off the bottom of the pan or it will burn. Put the basin on top and pour in enough boiling water to come two-thirds of the way up the sides. Cover with the lid and steam over a moderate heat for about 2 hours (topping up with more boiling water as needed), or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the pudding comes out clean.
- Remove from the heat and lift out the basin. Cut the string, then remove and discard the foil and baking paper. Carefully tip the pudding upside down and onto a board or plate. Warm the extra golden syrup and drizzle over the pudding to serve.