Can I Make Steamed Syrup Sponge In Advance?

Our answer

Nigella's Steamed Syrup Sponge (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) is a vanilla sponge batter that is steamed rather than baked. Steamed puddings are sometimes stodgy, but this sponge is surprisingly light. Unfortunately it needs to be eaten as soon as it is cooked, as Nigella notes in the introduction that the sponge becomes heavier as it cools. So for a special meal we can't recommend cooking the sponge in advance and then re-heating it.

If you have leftovers then these can be reheated in individual portions using a microwave. As the syrup tends to be absorbed by the sponge as it cools, you may want to dribble a little extra golden syrup over the reheated portions of pudding. If you would like to take a traditional British pudding along then we would suggest something like My Grandmother's Ginger Jam Bread And Butter Pudding or the Caramel Croissant Pudding as these can be assembled in advance and then taken along and put in the oven to bake as you sit down to eat.