What Type Of Pudding Basin Should I Use For The Steamed Syrup Sponge?

Asked by Snoosnoo. Answered on 10th February 2024

Full question

I have never made a steamed pudding but as it’s my Dad’s favourite. I would like to give the Steamed Syrup Sponge a try. Would you use a ceramic or plastic pudding bowl for this? Many thanks!

Our answer

Nigella's Steamed Syrup Sponge (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) is a sponge that is cooked by steaming rather than baking. The recipe uses a 1¾ litre (3 pint/2 quart) pudding basin.

Pudding basins can be made of ceramic/glazed earthenware, metal or plastic. In the method, Nigella suggests to "put on the plastic lid" of the basin, suggesting that for this recipe Nigella has used a plastic basin. We would also add that it is worth tightly wrapping the basin, with its lid on, with a couple of layers of food wrap to prevent the lid from popping off during steaming. However, you could also use a ceramic basin or even a bowl of the same capacity made from heatproof glass (such as Pyrex). If the basin does not have a lid then put a circle of baking parchment over the top of the sponge batter and wrap the basin tightly in 2-3 layers of food wrap, going over the top and underneath the bottom of the basin each time. Then wrap with two layers of foil, with each piece going in a different direction and scrunch the foil seams together tightly to seal. The cooking time is the same for all the different types of pudding basin.