Treacle Sponge Pudding

Ok, I know this isn't strictly cake, but it is really tasty, and really quick and easy to make. Also it was suggested by a certain Miss Lies that I put it on here. It is from one of my mum's cookbooks, and I can't remember which one, but it's quite an old recipe. I've converted the oz measurements, but I always make it using oz s rather than grams. If I had the inclination, I'd server this with custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. So here goes:

Treacle Sponge Pudding - makes 4 portions or 3 large portions (but easily manageable)

100g (4oz) self raising flour
50g (2oz) caster sugar
50g (2oz) margarine
1 egg
45-60ml milk (you don't want it a little more runny that golden syrup, about 50ml). Also, I made it with skimmed milk recently, and it seemed to make it more airy and 'fluffy'
0.5 tsp vanilla essence
3tbsp golden syrup

1. Mix all the ingredients other than the golden syrup with electric beaters until smooth and creamy, a bit like cake batter, though slightly more liquid.
2. Spoon the golden syrup into the bottom of a steep sided, microwaveable bowl. Spread up the sides just under an inch from the bottom. Pour 1. in ontop, ensuring it seals around the edges (i.e. no golden syrup escaping!)
3. Microwave on high for 6-6.5 minutes, or until a skewer in the centre comes out clean.
4. Serve, spooning the HOT golden syrup out from the bottom onto the top of the sponge. Add ice cream if you like.

My record for having this prepared is in about 12 minutes from starting with ingredients in the tubs etc. Like I said, it is very quick, and very easy. You can vary it too - add a bit of cocoa to make a chocolate one. I quite like to add a bit of odd food colouring to make it seem REALLY odd e.g. green :D

Hope you enjoy it, sorry there isn't a photo, it all got eaten long before I got told to put it on here!

On a side note, apparently the cake survived the journey to France, and was, as ever, excellent. Though of course she might have just been saying that to get more... I'm going to make some more cakes soon, but my dissertation is absorbing my life currently, as after this week I'll have no time whatsoever to do it! :(


MMFC