Description
Eve’s Pudding is a traditional British dessert made with stewed apples as the base, topped with a light vanilla sponge cake. The pudding is named after Eve, in reference to the biblical apple. It’s a beautifully balanced dessert, combining tart, cooked apples with a soft and sweet sponge topping.
Ingredients
- For the Apple Base:
- 600g cooking apples (such as Bramley, peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 50g caster sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- For the Sponge Topping:
- 100g unsalted butter (softened)
- 100g caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 100g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a medium-sized baking dish (around 1.5 liters) with butter.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Base
Place the peeled, cored, and sliced apples into a saucepan with the caster sugar, lemon juice, water, and cinnamon (if using). Cook the apples over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have softened but still hold their shape. Transfer the stewed apples to the prepared baking dish and spread them out evenly.
Step 3: Make the Sponge Topping
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, sift the self-raising flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt together. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the sponge light and fluffy.
Step 4: Assemble the Pudding
Spoon the sponge mixture over the stewed apples, spreading it evenly to cover the apple base completely. Smooth the top of the batter with a spatula.
Step 5: Bake the Pudding
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sponge topping is golden brown and firm to the touch. A skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
Step 6: Serve
Once baked, remove the pudding from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with a generous helping of custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.