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Microwave Sponge Pudding with Proper Custard

You'll be amazed at how good this light and fluffy sponge pudding is as it takes just 3 minutes in a microwave. Add your own flavourings like jam or lemon curd & pour over easy homemade custard.

Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Keyword pudding, sponge pudding, quick
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 very generously
Author Moorlands Eater

Ingredients

For the sponge pudding

  • 65 g caster sugar
  • 65 g butter melted (plus extra for greasing)
  • 1 egg
  • 75 g self raising flour sifted
  • 1-2 tbsp milk

Optional flavourings for the sponge

  • 2-3 tbsp jam, lemon or orange curd, golden syrup
  • 1 small orange or lemon zest and juice

For the custard

  • 200 ml milk
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 30 g sugar
  • 2-3 tsp cornflour 2 level tsp for thinner custard, 2 rounded ones for medium, 3 heaped for thick
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla paste

Instructions

Sponge Pudding

  1. Butter a microwave safe bowl which has a 550-600ml capacity.

    If you're going to add jam, curd or golden syrup, spoon it into the bottom of the bowl.

  2. Beat together the sugar and melted butter (use electric beaters if possible).

  3. Add the egg and half of the sifted flour. Beat again to combine.

  4. Add the rest of the flour and beat again.

  5. If using citrus zest and juice, beat them in now.

  6. Beat in enough of the milk so that the mixture has a soft, dropping consistency when you lift the beaters.

  7. Spoon the mixture into the bowl and cover the bowl with cling film.

    Can be refrigerated for a few hours at this point if needed.

  8. Prick the cling film a few times with a fork then put the bowl in the microwave. Cook on full power for 3 minutes.

    Pudding should be set, risen, springy on top and pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If not, cook for just a few seconds more then check again. Repeat until done (important: don't overcook or sponge could collapse and lose its light, fluffy texture).

  9. Leave the pudding to rest for 2-3 minutes before turning out onto a dish or plate and serving with the custard poured over.

Custard

  1. Put the milk in a saucepan and heat gently. Remove from the heat just before it boils.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolk, sugar, cornflour and vanilla extract or paste in a bowl.

  3. Pour the hot milk into the bowl, whisking constantly to combine.

  4. You can start the cooking of the sponge pudding in the microwave at this point too

    Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan and heat gently until the custard thickens (approx 3-5 minutes).