Can I Make A Smaller Steamed Chocolate Pudding With Hot Chocolate Sauce?

Our answer

Nigella's Chocolate Pudding For Christmas Pudding Haters With Hot Chocolate Sauce (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) is a steamed chocolate sponge made in a pudding basin (or you can make it in a heatproof pudding bowl). The recipe is for a 1.7 litre (3 UK pints/7-cup) basin. Usually the next size down is 1.2 litres (2 UK pints/5-cup) and we have made a smaller pudding in this size basin using ⅔ of the recipe quantity. So you need 110g each of flour, sugar and soft butter, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract, 25g cocoa powder, 40g yogurt, 2 eggs, 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda. The method for making the sponge batter is the same.

You can steam the pudding and the steaming time should be around 1¼ hours, though if it cooks for a little longer then it should not be a problem. We have also cooked this size of the pudding in a microwave using a Pyrex 1.2 litre bowl/basin, though it should also work in a plastic basin, but not a metal or earthenware one. Grease the pudding basin very thoroughly with extra butter and once you have scraped the sponge batter into the greased basin, wrap it tightly in a double layer of clingfilm (plastic wrap), making sure that for each layer you wrap underneath the bottom of the basin and then over the top, so that the basin is completely enclosed. Prick a very small steam hole in the top and microwave at 750 watts for 6 minutes. Let the pudding stand for 2 minutes before unwrapping the basin and turning it out onto a plate to serve. This size of pudding should serve 6 people, or up to 8 as part of a big Christmas meal. You can reduce the amount of sauce you make, but if you make a full amount then any leftovers will keep in the fridge for a week and can be warmed up to pour over ice cream.