Pear Parkin Pudding With Custard

This easy and comforting pud is the perfect way to round off a family lunch

• Cooking Time Prep 25 mins
  Cook 1 hr
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 8

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  538

• Protein

  9g

• Carbs

  81g

• Fat

  22g

• Saturates

  13g

• Fibre

  5g

• Sugar

  45g

• Salt

  0.91g

Ingredients

• 200g porridge oats
• 200g self-raising flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp salt
• 175g treacle
• 140g butter, plus extra for the dish and dotting over
• 140g light muscovado sugar, plus a bit more
• 2 balls stem ginger from a jar, chopped, plus some of the syrup to serve
• 1 large egg
• 150ml milk
• 4 ripe pears, peeled, stalks cut off, cored and halved
• custard, to serve (see recipe below)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter a 30 x 20cm baking dish. Mix the first four ingredients together. Melt the treacle, butter and sugar together in a large saucepan, then stir in the dry ingredients, half of the chopped ginger, the egg and milk to give a smooth batter.
2. Spoon into the baking dish, then sit the pear halves in the batter. Dot more butter over each pear half and sprinkle with a little more sugar. Bake for 1 hr until risen all over and a skewer inserted into the middle of the pudding comes out clean.
3. To serve, scatter the rest of the ginger over the fruit, then drizzle all over with syrup from the jar. Serve in rectangles with custard, below.

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Pear & Chocolate Pudding

A comforting and seasonal pudding for autumn, perfect with a spot of vanilla ice cream

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 25 mins - 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  557

• Protein

  5g

• Carbs

  83g

• Fat

  25g

• Saturates

  15g

• Fibre

  5g

• Sugar

  65g

• Salt

  0.6g

Ingredients

• 100g dried breadcrumbs
• 100g dark chocolate, chopped
• 100g demerara sugar
• 85g butter
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 4 ripe pears, peeled, cored and cut into chunks

Directions

1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Mix the crumbs, chocolate and sugar. Melt the butter with the maple syrup, then stir into the dry ingredients.
2. Put the chopped pears in a 1-litre shallow ovenproof dish. Spoon over the chocolate mixture, then roughly spread to cover the pears. Bake for 25-30 mins. Cool for 10 mins, then serve on its own or with vanilla ice cream or yogurt.

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Rhubarb Steamed Pudding

A delicious classic.

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins - 25 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 30 mins
• Skill Level Moderately easy
• Servings Serves 6

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  416

• Protein

  6g

• Carbs

  58g

• Fat

  20g

• Saturates

  11g

• Fibre

  2g

• Sugar

  35g

• Salt

  0.34g

Ingredients

• 350g fresh rhubarb, cut into 4cm lengths
• 200g caster sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 125g unsalted butter
• few drops natural vanilla extract
• 2 medium eggs, beaten
• 175g self-raising flour

Directions

1. Cook the rhubarb with 75g/2¾oz of the sugar and the ginger over a gentle heat for 2-3 mins until just starting to soften. Remove from heat.
2. Grease a 900ml pudding basin. Put butter and remaining sugar in a bowl and cream together. Stir in vanilla extract, then beat in eggs, a little at a time. Sift in flour and carefully fold into the mixture.
3. Spoon rhubarb into the bottom of the basin, then spoon the sponge mixture on top and level off surface.
4. Butter a piece of greaseproof paper slightly bigger than the top of the pudding basin. Make a pleat in the centre and secure over the top of basin. Repeat with a piece of foil, then secure the whole thing with string. Place in a pan half filled with simmering water. Cover and cook for 1½ hrs, checking regularly that the pan does not boil dry. Remove cover, invert the pudding onto a plate, then carefully lift off the pudding basin. Serve with crème fraîche or single cream.

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Classic Pumpkin Pie With Pecan & Maple Cream

A great way to use up any pumpkin from your lantern carving

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 15 mins
• Skill Level Moderately easy
• Servings Serves 8

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  624

• Protein

  7g

• Carbs

  61g

• Fat

  41g

• Saturates

  18g

• Fibre

  0g

• Sugar

  30g

• Salt

  0.73g

Ingredients

• 550g piece pumpkin, peeled and cut into chunks
• 500g pack shortcrust pastry
• 175g light muscovado sugar
• 2 eggs
• 142ml pot double cream
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• small grating of nutmeg
• For the pecan and maple cream
• 142ml tub double cream
• 5 tbsp maple syrup
• 25g pecans, finely chopped

Directions

1. Place the pumpkin pieces in a large microwaveable bowl. Cover, then cook on High (850W) for 15 mins or until soft. Tip into a colander to drain, then leave to cool.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin so it's wide enough to line a 25cm tart tin. Ease the pastry into the case, making sure there's an overhang, then chill for 30 mins. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Line the case with foil and baking beans, then bake for 15-20 mins. Remove foil and beans, then cook for a further 10 mins until the pastry is golden. Turn oven down to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3.
3. Meanwhile, place pumpkin, sugar, eggs, cream and spices in a food processor, then blend until smooth. Pour into the baked pastry case, then bake for 1 hr until the filling has puffed up in the centre (it will sink as it cools). Remove from tin, then leave to cool.
4. Whip the cream with the maple syrup until thickened, then fold in the pecans. Serve spoonfuls of the cream with slices of the pie.

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Baked Fruity Autumn Pudding

This pudding is bursting with autumn flavours, and can be made up to a day ahead - just reheat in the microwave

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins - 25 mins
  Cook 2 hrs
• Skill Level For the keen cook
• Servings Serves 4 - 6

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  841

• Protein

  7g

• Carbs

  124g

• Fat

  39g

• Saturates

  19g

• Fibre

  5g

• Sugar

  53g

• Salt

  0.83g

Ingredients

• 450g mixed autumn fruit - we used ripe plums, peeled apples, pears and blackberries
• 2 tbsp butter, plus extra for greasing
• 200g caster sugar
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 300g self-raising flour
• 140g shredded suet
• zest 1 lemon

Directions

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut 2 x 5cm-wide strips of parchment and lay them up the sides of a 1.2-litre pudding basin, making a cross on the bottom of the dish. Make sure there is some overhang to help you release the pudding when cooked. Grease again. Lay a square of foil and equal-size square of greased parchment on top of each other, folding a pleat down the middle.
2. To make the filling, chop plums, apples and pears into 1cm cubes and place in a bowl with the blackberries. Add butter, broken into bits, 125g of sugar and cinnamon. Stir and put to the side.
3. Sift flour into mixing bowl. Mix in suet, remaining sugar and zest. Add a few drops of water, working it through with a cutlery knife, then keep adding water until you have soft dough. Using your hand, bring the dough together into a smooth ball. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface. Tear the dough into ¾ and ¼ parts. Roll the larger portion into a rough circle, approx 20cm. Drop into the basin and press up the sides until you have a slight overhang. Tip the filling into the pastry case. Roll out the remaining ¼ to make a lid, then press the pastry edges together to firmly seal. Tuck the protruding flaps of parchment down onto pastry.
4. Put foil/parchment on top (foil side up), pressing and squeezing the foil round the edges to make a fitted lid. Tie string securely around the lid, making a handle with extra doubled-up string. Put in a deep roasting tin, then pour boiling water to 1-2cm below foil line. Cook for 2 hrs, topping up water level if it gets too low. Unwrap, release edges using parchment tabs and invert onto a plate.

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Easiest-Ever Bread Pudding

The ultimate in quick comfort food - only five minutes to prepare, perfect to pop in the oven before the main course

• Cooking Time Prep 5 mins
  Cook 40 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4 - 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  363

• Protein

  7g

• Carbs

  64g

• Fat

  11g

• Saturates

  7g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  47g

• Salt

  0.57g

Ingredients

• 150ml whole milk
• 140g white bread
• 50g raisins or dried cherries
• 568ml pot of fresh custard
• butter, for greasing
• 5-7 tbsp caster sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1. Stir the custard together with the milk. Trim the crusts from the bread, cut into triangles, then place in a large bowl with the raisins or dried cherries. Pour over the custard mixture, then carefully stir everything together so all the pieces of bread are coated. Lightly grease a small ovenproof dish with butter, then spoon in the mixture.
2. Cook for 30-35 mins until there is just a slight wobble in the centre of the custard. Sprinkle over the sugar to cover the surface, then pop under a hot grill for 1-2 mins until the sugar starts to melt and caramelise.

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Classic Plum Pie With Custard

This traditional favourite is an ideal post-Sunday lunch pud

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 45 mins
• Skill Level Moderately easy
• Servings Serves 8

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  681

• Protein

  9g

• Carbs

  75g

• Fat

  41g

• Saturates

  19g

• Fibre

  0g

• Sugar

  42g

• Salt

  0.77g

Ingredients

• 900g plums, stoned and thickly sliced
• 140g golden caster sugar, plus extra
• tsp ground cloves
• 1 heaped tbsp cornflour
• flour, for dusting
• 500g pack shortcrust pastry
• 1 egg, beaten, to glaze
• For the custard
• 4 egg yolks
• 85g caster sugar
• 250ml milk
• 250ml double cream
• seeds scraped from 1 vanilla pod

Directions

1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and put a large baking sheet in to heat up. Put the plums, sugar and cloves in a pan. Simmer until the sugar dissolves and the plums are juicy, 8-10 mins. Mix the cornflour with a little of the juice, then mix well into the fruit. Boil for a few mins, stirring, until thickened.
2. For the custard, blend the yolks and sugar. Heat the milk, cream and vanilla in a pan until almost boiling, then gently pour onto the egg mix, whisking constantly. Return to a clean pan and heat gently, stirring, until the mix thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Cool quickly, then chill. Custard can be made up to a day ahead and gently reheated.
3. Roll out two-thirds of the pastry on a floured surface. Use to line a pie dish, letting the pastry hang over the edges a little. Fill with the plums. Roll out remaining pastry, about 2.5cm bigger than the dish, then drape over the plums. Pinch edges together well, then make a small hole in the top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sugar. Can be assembled up to 1 day ahead. Place on the hot baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown, and serve hot with the custard.

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Spotted Dick

Steam a traditional fruity sponge pudding with suet, citrus zest and currants then serve in thick slices with hot custard

• Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 6

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  462

• Protein

  5.4g

• Carbs

  65g

• Fat

  19.9g

• Saturates

  11.2g

• Fibre

  2.7g

• Sugar

  34.5g

• Salt

  0.5g

Ingredients

• 250g self-raising flour
• pinch of salt
• 125g shredded suet
• 180g currants
• 80g caster sugar
• finely grated zest 1 lemon
• finely grated zest 1 small orange
• 150ml whole milk, plus 2-3 tbsp
• custard, to serve

Directions

1. Put the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the suet, currants, sugar, lemon and orange zest.
2. Pour in 150ml milk and mix to a firm but moist dough, adding the extra milk if necessary.
3. Shape into a fat roll about 20cm long. Place on a large rectangle of baking parchment. Wrap loosely to allow for the pudding to rise and tie the ends with string like a Christmas cracker.
4. Place a steamer over a large pan of boiling water, add the pudding to the steamer, cover and steam for 1 1/2 hours. Top up the pan with water from time to time.
5. Remove from the steamer and allow to cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve sliced with custard.

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Schooldays Treacle Sponge

A syrupy basin pudding with a moist sponge and sticky sauce- a Great British tradition with retro charm

• Cooking Time Prep 30 mins
  Cook 1 hr, 30 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4 generously

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  763

• Protein

  10g

• Carbs

  90g

• Fat

  43g

• Saturates

  25g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  56g

• Salt

  0.71g

Ingredients

• 175g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• 3 tbsp golden syrup, plus extra for drizzling
• 1 tbsp fresh white breadcrumbs
• splash brandy (optional but delicious)
• 175g golden caster sugar
• zest 1 lemon
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 175g self-raising flour
• 2 tbsp milk
• clotted cream, to serve

Directions

1. Use a small knob of butter to heavily grease a 1-litre pudding basin. In a small bowl, mix the golden syrup with the breadcrumbs and brandy, if using, then tip into the pudding basin.
2. Beat butter with sugar and zest until light and fluffy, then add eggs gradually. Fold in the flour, then finally add the milk.
3. Spoon the mix into the pudding basin. Cover with a double layer of buttered foil and baking paper, making a pleat in the centre to allow the pudding to rise. Tie the foil securely with string, then place in a steamer or large pan containing enough gently simmering water to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Steam for 1½ hrs. Turn out onto a serving dish. Serve with lashings of clotted cream and a little extra golden syrup drizzled over if you wish.

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Quick Sticky Toffee Puddings

Discover a shameless shortcut to this family favourite pud

• Cooking Time Prep 5 mins
  Cook 10 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Serves 4

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  555

• Protein

  5g

• Carbs

  59g

• Fat

  35g

• Saturates

  20g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  42g

• Salt

  0.66g

Ingredients

• 4 large chocolate muffins, crumbled
• 50g large sultanas
• small knob of butter, for greasing
• For the sauce
• 50g light muscovado sugar
• 50g butter
• 75ml double cream
• vanilla ice cream, to serve

Directions

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the muffins with the sultanas. Divide between 4 buttered ramekins or one baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 8 mins until just warmed through.
2. Meanwhile, place the sugar, butter and cream in a small pan and gently heat together, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Pour the sauce over the muffin mixture and serve warm with ice cream.

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