Syrup sponge in the microwave

This light, fluffy steamed pudding cooks in just four minutes in the microwave. Serve it with golden syrup, or jam and custard.

Ingredients

• 125g/4oz butter, melted, plus extra to grease the pudding bowl
• 125g/4oz caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 150g/5oz plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 small lemons, zest and juice
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• 4 tbsp golden syrup, or jam if preferred, to serve
• custard, optional, to serve

Preparation method

1. Grease a 1.2 litre/2 pint bowl (suitable for the microwave). Sieve together the flour and baking powder. Tip the butter, sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder into a food processor and mix to a paste. If you’re not using a food processor beat the sugar and butter together in a bowl, then mix in the eggs, baking powder and flour.

2. Add the lemon juice and zest, continue to mix and add enough milk for the mixture reach a dropping consistency. (Hold a spoonful of the mixture upside down and it should drop off after a slight pause.)

3. Spoon the mixture into the greased bowl. Cover with cling film and microwave on full power for four minutes (or until the sponge begins to shrink from the sides and is springy to the touch).

4. Leave to stand for 2-3 minutes before turning out and serving with golden syrup or jam and custard.

Required techniques

• Zesting citrus fruit
• Zesting citrus fruit