Easy Jam Sponge Recipes

SIMPLE JAM SPONGE PUDDING

Steps:

• Grease the inside of four 175ml (6fl oz) pudding basins with butter. Put 1tbsp of jam in the bottom of each and put to one side. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6.
• Whisk together the butter and orange zest with a small electric whisk until smooth. Whisk in the caster sugar until thoroughly combined - about 10min - then gradually whisk in the egg. Fold in flour, then sufficient orange juice to give a soft dropping consistency. Spoon on top of the jam and smooth the surfaces.
• Butter four discs of foil, measuring about 12.5cm (5in) across, and cover the puddings with them, folding under the rim to secure. Put the basins in a large roasting tin. Pour in enough boiling water to come at least halfway up their sides. Cook for 45min or until the puddings are risen, cooked to the centre and golden brown on top. Lift out of the roasting tin, unmould when ready and serve with pouring cream or custard.

SWISS ROLL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 16 x 28cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment.
• Beat the eggs and sugar together for 5 mins with an electric hand whisk until thick and pale. Gently fold in the flour in two batches using a large metal spoon. Pour the mixture into the tin and gently ease into the corners. Bake for 10-12 mins until golden and firm. Be careful not to overbake, or the sponge will break when rolled.
• While the sponge is baking, sprinkle 2 tbsp sugar over a square of baking parchment. Warm the jam in the microwave for 20 secs.
• Turn the baked sponge onto the sugared paper. Peel off the lining paper and spread the sponge with the warm jam. Roll up from the short edge using the paper to help you then cool on a wire rack.

THREE MINUTE JAM SPONGE

Steps:

• Grease the sides and base of an appropriate size dish (allow for mixture to rise 1 1/2 inches when cooked)with a little margarine.
• Spread your jam on the bottom of your dish.
• Mix together all other ingredients and pour into the dish on top of the jam.
• Heat on full power in an 800 watt microwave for three minutes.
• Remove from microwave (remember its hot) and place a plate large enough to cover on top and turn over.
• Lift your dish (the sponge should just slip out and jam should run down the sides).
• Serve immediately--custard is my favorite!

AS-YOU-LIKE-IT STEAMED PUDDING

Steps:

• Generously grease a 1.2-litre pudding basin and put your chosen topping in the base. Boil a kettle of water. To prepare your steamer, put a snugly fitting upturned bowl in the base of a large, deep saucepan, big enough to hold the pudding.
• Put the ingredients for the sponge in a food processor and blend until smooth (but don't overwork the mix), then tip into the pudding basin. Cover with a lid made of baking parchment and foil, and tie with string to secure (see step-by-step). Stand the pudding on the upturned bowl in your saucepan. Pour in enough hot water to come halfway up the side of the pudding basin. Set over a medium heat and bring to the boil. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, lower the heat to a gentle simmer and leave to steam for 2½ hrs, topping up with boiling water if the level gets too low.
• Check the pudding is cooked by inserting a skewer through the foil and parchment lid into the centre of the pudding. If the skewer still has some wet mixture on it, return the pudding to the steamer for a further 15-20 mins, then check again. Once cooked, uncover and turn the pudding onto a plate. Serve straight away with custard, if you like.