Retro Chocolate Sponge Pudding With Chocolate Custard Recipes

CHOCOLATE SPONGE WITH HOT CHOCOLATE CUSTARD

Steps:

• Cover the dates with boiling water and set aside to soften for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and line a 20 x 30cm baking tin with baking parchment. Drain the dates, reserving the liquid, then whizz the dates to a purée with 100ml of the soaking liquid.
• Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric whisk until stiff peaks hold on the end of your whisk. Add half the sugar and beat until thick and glossy.
• In another bowl, beat the yolks and remaining sugar until pale. Whisk in the mashed date mixture, then fold into the egg white mixture until well combined. Mix the flour, baking powder and cocoa with a pinch of salt. Sprinkle over the wet mixture and very gently fold in until well combined. Gently scrape into the tin and spread to the edges. Bake for 35-40 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, mix the custard powder, sugar and cocoa together in a saucepan. Stir in dribbles of milk until you get a smooth paste. Gradually add more milk until it's all incorporated with no lumps. Put over a medium heat and warm, stirring constantly, until thick and just bubbling.
• Cut the warm cake into slabs and pour over the hot chocolate custard to serve.

RETRO CHOCOLATE SPONGE PUDDING WITH CHOCOLATE CUSTARD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 20 x 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Beat the butter, sugar and a pinch of salt together in a large bowl using an electric whisk for 5 mins until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition until incorporated and the mixture is a mousse-like consistency.
• Sieve the flour, baking powder and cocoa over the wet ingredients, then tip in the milk and fold everything together with a spatula until there are no floury streaks remaining.
• Scrape the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface with the spatula. Bake for 40 mins, then check the sponge is cooked by inserting a skewer into the centre. If it comes out with any sticky cake mixture attached, return the sponge to the oven for another 5-10 mins and check again. Leave to cool slightly in the tin. To freeze, leave to cool completely, then wrap well and freeze for up to two months. Defrost at room temperature, then reheat as stated in the tip below.
• Meanwhile, make the custard. Heat the cream and milk in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat - don't let it boil. Combine the cornflour, sugar and cocoa in a large bowl, then whisk in the eggs and yolks, one at a time, until you have a smooth paste. When the cream mixture is hot and steaming, pour a splash into the cocoa paste to loosen it, then tip this back into the cream mixture. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring continuously until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon - you should be able to draw a line through the custard on the back of the spoon using your fingertip. Remove from the heat and sieve the custard into a jug to remove any lumps. Cover the surface with a circle of baking parchment to prevent a skin forming. Cut the warm sponge into squares and serve with the custard for pouring over.

CHOCOLATE CUSTARD BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a double boiler, heat together the milk and chocolate until chocolate is melted.
• In a 10x16 inch oven baking bag, combine 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in the bread and nuts.
• Beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla; blend together with chocolate mixture.
• Place bag in 1 quart loaf pan; pour chocolate mixture over bread. Close bag with twist tie; make 6 half inch slits on top. Pour water into pan so that water comes up sides of bag, not overflowing.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. To serve, remove from pan, cut bag away from top and put on plate.

CHOCOLATE SPONGE CUSTARD

Steps:

• In small mixing bowl at high speed, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but not dry, just until whites no longer slip when bowl is tilted.
• In small mixing bowl, at high speed, blend or beat yolks, milk, syrup, flour, and vanilla until smooth.
• Gently, but thoroughly, fold into beaten whites.
• Place 6 (6 ounces) lightly greased custard cups in large baking pan.
• Pour egg mixture into cups.
• Place pan on rack in preheated 350ºF oven.
• Pour very hot water into pan to within 1/2 inch of top of custards.
• Bake until puffed and cake tester or wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove promptly from hot water.
• Cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
• Top with a dollop of marshmallow fluff or whipped cream.
• Makes 6 servings.