I love these hot steamed sponge-type puddings, especially during the winter. This recipe is a real favourite – serve it sliced with the sauce poured over then add a dollop of vanilla ice cream for a touch of luxury. Cooked in 7 – 8 minutes instead of hours in the steamer, what could be easier?
The sauce is great too. It sets on standing, any left over can be stored in the fridge, then re-heated and melted again prior to use.
I’ve made this pudding in a pudding basin, but for ease of serving it can also be made in a 23 cm square cake mould and cut into 9 squares.
This recipe serves 6 – 8 portions.
Ingredients
- 150 ml apple juice or water
- 125g dates, roughly chopped
- 85g butter, softened
- 125g soft dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 150g self raising flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ½ tsp ground ginger (or to taste)
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg (or to taste)
- ½ tsp vanilla essence
Fudge sauce:
- 1 tsp cornflour
- 125ml single cream
- 125g butter, cut into pieces
- 175g soft dark brown sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the apple juice or water in a 500ml microwaveable jug or bowl for 2 minutes on HIGH power in a 1100 watt oven until steaming. Stir in the chopped dates. Set aside to soak for an hour or so.
- Mix together all ingredients for the sponge in a large mixing bowl, beat together until smooth. Drain dates and discard any excess liquid, stir into sponge mixture.
- Pour mixture into a well-greased 1 litre pudding basin or 23 cm square cooking container. Cover with a piece of greaseproof paper and cook for 6 -7 minutes on MEDIUM (735 watts) until well risen and when a skewer or sharp knife is inserted into the centre of the sponge it comes out clean.
- Cover basin with a dinner plate and leave to stand while preparing sauce:
- Blend the cornflour with a couple of tablespoons of the cream in a large microwaveable jug. Then stir in the remaining cream, the chopped butter and the sugar. Cook for 2 minutes on HIGH power in an 1100 watt oven, until the butter melts and the sauce begins to bubble. Stir again to thoroughly combine all the ingredients, continue cooking for another 2 minutes on HIGH power until really bubbling, thick and smooth. Stir vigorously for a minute or so, then leave to cool a little before serving – it will be hot!
- Turn pudding out on to a large serving plate, slice into individual portions, then serve each portion with a little of the sauce poured over.
1500 watt oven
- Heat the apple juice for 1 ½ minutes on full power.
- Cook sponge pudding for 6 – 7 minutes on LOW power (50% – 750 watts).
- For the fudge sauce, cook for 3 minutes (in total) on MEDIUM power (70%, – 1050 watts), stirring well during cooking to prevent it from boiling over – but ensuring that it comes to a vigorous boil.
1850 watt oven
- Heat the apple juice for 1 minute on full power.
- Cook the sponge pudding for 4 – 5 minutes on LOW power (50% – 925 watts).
- For the fudge sauce cook for 2 ½ minutes (in total) on MEDIUM power (70%, – 1295 watts), watching and stirring frequently to ensure that it doesn’t boil over but still comes to a vigorous boil and thickens.
Samsung is one of the world’s largest microwave oven brands. Samsung Professional Appliances distributes throughout the UK and Europe and offers a comprehensive choice of commercial microwave ovens, from large-capacity, ‘super-heavy duty’ 1850W units down to light-commercial, budget-priced 1100W models. All are backed by a full three year parts & labour warranty.
RB Distributors is the UK wholesaler of Samsung commercial microwave ovens. For more information visit www.rbdistributors.co.uk, tel 0845 146 2604 or email sales@rbdistributors.co.uk
See more recipes from Samsung at their Professional Microwave Cookbook website