Caramel Sponge Pudding

If ever there was an excuse to indulge in some comfort cooking, the chilly winter season is most definitely it. This latest recipe, which was featured in the May/June issue of Cheers magazine, has comfort food written all over it – a classic (dare I say old-fashioned) dessert that you can easily make at home on those cold days.
Sponge pudding with caramel sauce and toasted almonds.

Sponge pudding with caramel sauce and toasted almonds.

Speaking of the cold I often have a chuckle when I catch myself complaining about feeling chilled to the bone when chatting to friends and family living in the northern hemisphere. I can tell you that I do not get much sympathy when waxing on about how it is only fifteen degrees and I cannot feel my fingertips to someone who is used to having to get around in temperatures below five degrees! It is all about perspective I suppose, but I am definitely ready for those lighter mornings and warmer temperatures. Please and thank you. Caramel steamed pudding with almonds.

This caramel sponge pudding has a little twist as I have steamed it in the oven instead of on the hob. Delicately flavoured with orange zest and topped with hot caramel sauce and toasted almonds this is sure to be a hit with the pudding lovers in your life. _________________________

CARAMEL SPONGE PUDDING

Serves 8-10

For the sponge:

150g butter, room temperature
150g castor sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp finely grated orange rind
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
350g flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
180ml milk
3 tbsp flaked almonds

For the sauce:

150g castor sugar
80ml water
100ml pouring cream

Step 1.) Preheat your oven to 170°C. Grease a 2 liter pyrex bowl very well and put a full kettle of water on to boil. Step 2.) Cream the butter and castor sugar together until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, orange rind, orange juice and vanilla extract and beat together. Step 3.) Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the mixture. Beat for a few seconds. Add the milk, then beat again until the batter is smooth. Step 4.) Tip the batter into the greased pyrex bowl. Cover the bowl with a greased piece of foil, pressed down firmly around the sides. Place the bowl in a deep roasting tray and fill the tray with water up to 4 or 5cm. Step 5.) Bake the pudding for 2 hours. Top up the water in the roasting pan after an hour. While the pudding is baking toast the flaked almonds in a dry frying pan and set aside. Step 6.) Start making the caramel sauce during the last 10 minutes of baking time. Place the castor sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir over a low heat to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved increase the heat slightly and bring to the boil. Step 7.) Remove the pudding from the oven after 2 hours. Remove from the roasting tray and allow to sit (covered) for 5-10 minutes while you finish the sauce. Step 8.) Boil the syrup for 10 to 12 minutes or until it turns a deep golden color. (If sugar crystals start forming around the sides of the pan use a pastry brush dipped in water to brush them away.) Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the cream. Continue to whisk until the sauce is smooth. Step 9.) Take the foil off the bowl and carefully invert the pudding onto your serving plate. Pour the hot caramel sauce over the pudding. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top. Serve as is or with vanilla custard.

If you love baked puddings why not give one of these recipes a try (links below):