Syrup Sponge Pudding

A light steamed sponge over a pool of golden syrup, a classic British pudding.

TIME BREAKDOWN
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1h 40m
Total: 2 hours
Vegetarian
✅
Nuts
❌
Serves
6 people
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp golden syrup, plus extra to serve
  • 175g softened butter, plus extra for greasing
  • 175g caster sugar
  • 3 medium eggs
  • 175g self-raising flour
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp milk

Method

  1. Butter a 1.2 litre pudding basin and spoon the golden syrup into the bottom.

  2. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour if it starts to curdle.

  3. Fold in the flour and lemon zest with the milk to give a soft, dropping consistency.

  4. Spoon into the basin and cover with a pleated layer of baking paper and foil, tying with string.

  5. Steam for 1 hour 30 minutes in a covered pan of simmering water. Turn out onto a plate and serve with extra syrup or custard.