Golden steamed pudding

This pudding is a wonderful winter comfort food. Children especially love the gooey golden sauce that pours down the side of the pudding when it is served 

 Ingredients

¼ cup cooking oil
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup milk
2 tablespoons golden syrup or treacle

Method

1. Prepare a large saucepan half filled with boiling water
2. Grease a steamed pudding bowl with a little oil
3. Pour the golden syrup into the bottom of the bowl
4. In a mixing bowl, beat the oil, sugar and egg together with a rotary or electric beater until mixture is light and fluffy
5. Add sifted flour and baking powder
6. Add the milk and mix well
7. Pour the mixture over the golden syrup in the steamed pudding bowl
8. Cover the bowl with a lid or with aluminum foil over the top and tucked in securely under the lip of the bowl (see photo)
9. Carefully lower the pudding bowl into the saucepan of boiling water
10. Cover the saucepan and boil gently for 1 ½ – 2 hours
11. Check water level from time to time and add more boiling water if necessary.
12. When cooked, lift the pudding bowl out of the water
13. Run a knife around the sides of the pudding and turn upside down on a plate to serve.
14. Serve with custard or icecream.

 Serves 4

 Variations

1. Add 2 tablespoons cocoa for a chocolate steamed pudding
2. Add ½ cup sultanas for a fruity pudding

 You can use china, glass or metal bowls for a steamed pudding.  Not plastic though.

 For individual puddings

Use 4 tea cups or small ramekin dishes.

Spoon a quarter of the mixture into each of the individual cups or ramekins and cover with aluminium foil tucked in around the edge. Cook for 1 hour in a large saucepan.