11 Jan
Steamed lemon sponge puddings with custard
Ingredients
For the puddings
- 90g/3¼oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
- 90g/3¼oz caster sugar
- 2 free-range eggs
- 2 lemons, juice and finely grated zest
- 115g/4oz self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1–2 tsp milk
For the custard
- 600ml/20fl oz full-fat milk
- 1 vanilla pod, split lengthways and seeds scraped out
- 3 large free-range egg yolks
- 30g/1oz caster sugar
- 2 tsp cornflour
For the lemon syrup
- 8 tbsp golden syrup
- ½ lemon, zest only
- freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste
Method
- Lightly grease and dust the pudding moulds.
- In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until pale and smooth. Crack the eggs into a small jug and beat with a fork. Slowly add the eggs to the sugar and butter mixture, beating continuously. Add the zest, then sift in the flour and baking powder. Fold in to combine. Gently stir in 2½ tablespoons of lemon juice and the milk. Divide the batter evenly between the moulds.
- Place a piece of baking paper over each mould, then lay a larger sheet of kitchen foil on top. Fold it over the edges of the bowl and tie in place using string.
- Half fill a steamer with boiling water and place the puddings on the steaming rack above. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for 25 minutes.
- To make the custard, heat the milk, vanilla seeds and split vanilla pod in a medium saucepan until almost boiling. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks, caster sugar and cornflour in a large bowl until pale and thickened. Remove the vanilla pod and slowly pour the milk onto the egg mixture whisking all the time. Strain through a sieve into a clean pan and cook over a gentle heat stirring continuously until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- To make the syrup, put the golden syrup, lemon zest and juice into a saucepan. Place over a low heat to warm through.
- Remove the puddings and let them sit for 5 minutes before turning out onto serving plates. Pour over the syrup and serve with custard alongside.
