A British Chocolate Sponge Pudding is traditionally served after lunch in schools. Find out how to make it with this easy recipe, which cooks in the microwave in less than 10 minutes!
Chocolate sponge pudding is a big favorite in the UK, where it is traditionally served as a school pudding (the British word for ‘dessert’).
But you don’t JUST find it in schools – this national favorite appears on many pub and restaurant menus too – and it’s so easy to make that it’s often cooked at home.
This recipe comes from two of the UK’s most popular celebrity chefs, who go by the intresting name of ‘The Hairy Bikers’. The recipe involves cooking the pudding in the microwave, which we think is the best way to do it!
Cooking in the microwave is not something we’d recommend in general, as it doesn’t always provide the best texture (or flavour!) for most foods. But it works really well for this dish!
A chocolate sponge pudding should be soft and moist and cooking it in the microwave does the job perfectly!
Alternative method – steaming the pudding
If you don’t have a microwave – or simply don’t like using it – then you can steam your pudding instead, which is actually the more traditional way of cooking it.
Steaming takes a lot longer – around 1 3/4 hours compared to under 10 minutes in the microwave. Steamed puddings are hugely popular in the UK – this Spotted Dick Pudding is a great example!
Check out this indulgent Treacle Sponge recipe too, which tells you just how to steam a pudding in its basin.
What to serve with chocolate sponge pudding
Chocolate sponge pudding is great served with cream, ice cream or even fruit. But the traditional way to serve it is with English custard – and not just ANY custard, but an indulgent chocolate custard! How good does that sound?
How to make chocolate custard
2.5 tablespoons custard powder
2.5 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 rounded tablespoons cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups milk
- Mix the custard powder, sugar and cocoa powder in a small saucepan.
- Stir in a little milk until a smooth paste is formed.
- Continue to add milk slowly, stirring well to avoid lumps.
- Warm gently, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly.
More British School Puddings
Chocolate Sponge Pudding
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 ounces Light Corn Syrup (or use traditional British Golden Syrup, if you can get it)
- 12 ounces Butter softened, plus extra for greasing
- 4 1/2 ounces Fine Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Cocoa Powder
- 6 Eggs lightly beaten
- 12 ounces Self Rising Flour
Instructions
- Thoroughly grease the inside of two x 2 pint pudding basins.
- Put half of the syrup into the base of each pudding basin and put to one side.
- In a mixer, beat the butter and sugar with the cocoa powder.
- Beat in half the eggs, then half the flour.
- When the mixture is well combined, add the rest of the eggs and flour.
- The mixture should just reach a dropping consistency, but if it’s too thick, add a little milk.
- Share the mixture between the pudding basins until each is three quarters full. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the top.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap, leaving space for the wrap to inflate as the mixture rises.
- Place in the microwave and cook on full power for 5 minutes.
- Insert a skewer into the middle of the pudding – if it comes out clean then the pudding is ready.
- Allow to cool in the basin for 5 minutes, then turn out on to a plate.
- Cut into wedges and serve.