Treacle Sponge Pudding (Paul Hollywood Recipe)
Treacle sponge pudding is just one type of steamed pudding which is popular in the UK. Paul Hollywood’s recipe is solid and will give you delicious results.
Where do I begin? Of course I want to tell you all about this delectable treacle sponge pudding (dessert), but I also want to make sure you know about The Great British Bake Off (The Great British Baking Show).
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I don’t want you don’t miss it, especially all of you Downton Abbey and Mrs. Patmore fans!
When I was at the BBC Good Food Show in Scotland this past October, I was very fortunate to meet not only Mary Berry, but also Paul Hollywood (yes, that really is his name). He is the co-host, along with Ms. Berry, of the Great British Bakeoff, which is literally the most popular show that’s been on BBC! Someone who watches the show in the UK asked me, “Are his eyes really that blue?” and the answer is, “Yes! They really are.”
Living so close to the Hollywood sign, I had an idea. I couldn’t resist the urge to take Paul’s book, and the treacle sponge pudding which I made from his book and pose for a photo in front of the sign. Unfortunately, there were what seemed like millions of tourists trying to get near the sign that evening.
By the time I got there, the sun was setting. However, I knew where to go to get a great shot, very close to the sign, that none of the tourists knew about. I must admit I felt rather smug!
I want to tell you that you simply must tune in to PBS on December 28th (tomorrow) to see the first episode of The Great British Bake Off, which will be called The Great British Baking Show, here in the US. If you like cooking shows, you’re going to love this one!
I watched an episode when I was in Scotland, and understood what the craze was all about. Not only that, if you’re a Downton Abbey fan (and if you’re not, you should be) you’ll already be in front of the telly when it comes on as The Great British Baking Show is set to air right before DA, after the premiere tomorrow.
Now, let’s get to Paul Hollywood’s Treacle Sponge Pudding! It’s similar to one of my favorite desserts, Sticky Toffee Pudding. However this pudding is steamed, not baked. Steaming is not nearly as popular in the US as it is in the UK, but once you have a pudding basin (bowl), it’s so easy!
This recipe is from Paul’s latest book, Paul Hollywood’s British Baking, which I am in love with at the moment! Do you ever look at a cookbook and want to make EVERY SINGLE RECIPE? Well, that’s how I am with Paul’s latest book. Every recipe is fantastic and it’s filled with gorgeous photo.! I was a lucky girl and Paul actually gave me a signed copy!
Paul Hollywood’s Treacle Sponge Pudding
slightly adapted from Paul Hollywood’s British Baking cookbook serves 6
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- golden syrup (found in British specialty shops and Amazon) -substitute maple syrup or honey but the flavor will be different
- molasses (black treacle)
- unsalted butter
- sugar
- eggs
- all purpose flour
- baking powder
Special equipment: 1 liter pudding basin (bowl) (I like Mason Cash), kitchen string
Directions
Butter the pudding basin and put 3 tablespoonfuls of the golden syrup (or maple syrup/honey) in the bottom of the bowl.
Next, put the rest of the syrup, treacle, butter, sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and beat slowly. Increase the speed and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula at least once. Pour the batter into the pudding basin, on top of the syrup.
Tear a piece of parchment paper and aluminum foil, large enough to cover the top of the bowl, and go halfway down the sides, and place the foil on top of the parchment. Create a pleat down the center, so that the sponge will have space to expand when cooking.
Place the paper and foil over the pudding basin, then tie some string under the lip of the bowl, leaving extra string to tie over the top to form a handle, tying it on the opposite end. It seems complicated, but really isn’t.
If you don’t have a steamer (I don’t), then just place a rack, or even some crumpled aluminum foil on the bottom of a large pot and put enough water to come half way up the bowl. Place the bowl in the pot and cover tightly with a lid to steam for 1 1/4 hours (checking to add more water if needed).
Once the pudding is ready, carefully remove it from the pot/steamer, cut the string then run a long knife along the side of the bowl to loosen the pudding. Finally, place a plate on top of the bowl and carefully invert the pudding onto the plate and remove the bowl.
Ta dah! You’ve just made Paul Hollywood’s treacle sponge pudding! Serve it with homemade custard or heavy (double) cream (in the US, heavy whipping cream needs to be slightly whipped).
Do you watch the Great British Bake Off?
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Paul Hollywood's Treacle Sponge Pudding and The Great British Bake Off Comes to the US!
Special Equipment
- 1 1 liter pudding basin (bowl) (Mason Cash)
- string
Ingredients
- 7 Tbsp golden syrup (see notes)
- 1 Tbsp molasses (black treacle)
- 3.5 oz unsalted butter softened
- ⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup + 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Butter the pudding basin and put 3 Tbsp of the golden syrup (or maple syrup/honey) in the bottom of the bowl.
- Put the rest of the syrup, treacle, butter, sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and beat slowly, then increase the speed and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula at least once. Pour the batter into the pudding basin, on top of the syrup.
- Tear a piece of parchment paper and aluminum foil, large enough to cover the top of the bowl, and go halfway down the sides, and place the foil on top of the parchment. Create a pleat down the center, so that the sponge will have space to expand when cooking.
- Place the paper and foil over the pudding basin, then tie some string under the lip of the bowl, leaving extra string to tie over the top to form a handle, tying it on the opposite end. It seems complicated, but really isn't.
- If you don't have a steamer (I don't), then just place a rack, or even some crumpled aluminum foil on the bottom of a large pot and put enough water to come half way up the bowl. Place the bowl in the pot and cover tightly with a lid to steam for 1 1/4 hours (checking to add more water if needed).
- Once the pudding is ready, carefully remove it from the pot/steamer, cut the string then run a long knife along the side of the bowl to loosen the pudding. Place a plate on top of the bowl and carefully invert the pudding onto the plate and remove the bowl.
- Ta dah! You've just made Paul Hollywood's Treacle Sponge Pudding! Serve it with custard or heavy (double) cream (in the US, heavy whipping cream needs to be slightly whipped).
Notes
- For best results use a scale. Weighing is much more precise.
- Lyle's Golden Syrup can be found in British specialty shops and Amazon - you can substitute maple syrup or honey, but the flavor will be different
Nutrition
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I love the look of this, Christina – and, since I love sticky toffee pudding, I think this will be a favorite, too. My pudding mold is small, but I bet I can borrow one from a friend to try this! Happy New Year!
It is a lovely pudding, David! Let me know if you make it and how you like it! :) Happy New Year to you, too!
CC
I love your creative photo with the Hollywood sign. I am so impressed you hiked up there with your Pudding in hand. I have all the ingredients to make this, but I don’t have a pudding basin. Can it be made in a medal or glass bowl?
Yes, Cathy you can use any glass bowl which is ovenproof, such as pyrex, but I would avoid using metal. You’ll love steamed puddings, I’m sure! CC
i’ll have to check if we have tv. i don’t think we’ve watched any tv since we moved to vegas. haha i also want to know where you were to get to the sign. we’ve tried to hike it a couple times.. and we got lost and so turned around. the griffith park hikes are still a maze to me.. then again i have terrible sense of direction too. :P
Well he is a total cutie and that sponge pudding looks to die for as well! When my hubby and I were in Paris in May we watched the French version of Top Chef Desserts and loved it! I am sure the British Bake-off was as equally charming!
Oh, I’m sure that would be a good show to watch, but I bet you couldn’t do it while you were hungry! :)
Such a fun post! I’ve heard of Paul Hollywood and seen some of his recipes made here and there, but I’ve only ever seen him as a judge on the American Bake-off Show (don’t remember exact name). I’ll have to look for this one (and yes, HUGE DA fan here). This sponge looks so perfectly sticky and delicious. One day I want to visit the Hollywood sign, and I’m calling you for that inside spot!
Yes, he was on a show here for a little while, Heather. Better than calling me for that inside spot, I’ll take you there myself! CC :)
Oh sounds like fun to watch. Yes I will definitely try to catch the bake off. I already have Jan 4th on my calendar for Downton, it’s one of my favorite shows and I never miss it. Can’t wait for Season 5.
Love the pudding it looks so good, thats really his name, wow!! Sounds like a stage name. His eyes are beautiful. Perfect getting the photo by the Hollywood sign.
Thanks, Suzanne! Yes, we’ll be sitting on the sofa with tea and scones ready to watch The Great British Bake Off and Downton Abbey, too! I never watch TV except for this! :)
Dear Christina,
Merry Christmas again and Happy New Year! Yes, I will be glued to the TV this evening for the British Bakeoff and of course I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, so I will be watching that as well. I remember when you went to Scotland and met Paul Hollywood. His book seems to be wonderful, and you have a signed copy! You are a lucky girl. This Treacle Sponge Pudding looks so delicious. I love the photos and your last picture is awesome! It looks so sweet and tasty. That glaze I would think is so yummy. I would love to try this someday. I also love the photo of you under the Hollywood sign. So perfect for this dish and its creator. I never knew you lived so close to the Hollywood sign. Thanks for sharing and I will be watching the show for sure. Have a good Sunday!
Dottie :)
Same to you, Dottie! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and so glad you’ll be watching The Great British Baking Show, too! I watched it last night and loved it! Happy New Year! CC
Christina,
I had to reply to your reply because I did watch the show and I loved it too! I tell you there are some very talented people on the show. The items they chose to bake were luscious looking. I loved Mary and Paul as Judges and the other two ladies were excellent as well as funny. I found that I definitely liked this show more than some of the US Food network shows. The tents outside adds a different touch and enjoyed seeing the countryside. Looking forward to next Sunday night’s show as well as the start of Downton Abbey! I am all caught up and ready to see season 5. Thanks! Enjoy your New Years!
Dottie :)