Steamed Jam Sponge

This will take you back to your schooldays

If you haven't got a steamer, improvise with a large pan filled with about 5cm of water. Put a sturdy upturned saucer in the bottom of the pan to keep the sponge away from direct heat.

Ingredients

• 2tbsp jam plus a little extra • 125g butter • 125g caster sugar • 2 eggs • vanilla extract • 175g self-raising flour • milk

Directions

1) Generously butter a 900ml pudding basin and spoon the jam into the bottom. 2) Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 3) Break the eggs into a separate bowl and add them to the mixture a little at a time, beating well after each addition. 4) Add a few drops of vanilla extract, then fold in the flour, followed by enough milk to make a soft dropping consistency. 5) Spoon the cake mixture on top of the jam and level out. 6) Lay a large piece of foil on your worksurface and cover with a piece of greaseproof paper. Butter the greaseproof paper, then fold it and foil to make a pleat in the centre. Place this on top of the pudding, buttered side down, and secure with string. 7) Steam the pudding for 11/4 to 11/2 hours. The sponge is ready when it is well risen and springy in the centre. 8) Turn out onto a serving plate and let the jam dribble down the sides of the pudding. Add a little more warmed jam if you like. Serve with custard or single cream. 9) To turn this into a chocolate pudding, replace about a quarter of the flour with cocoa powder.