Ginger sticky toffee pudding by Mary Berry

Ingredients

• 90g (3oz) butter (room temperature), plus extra for greasing
• 150g (51⁄2oz) light muscovado sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 5 pieces of stem ginger in syrup, drained and finely chopped

For the sauce

• 125g (41⁄2oz) butter
• 175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar
• 6 tbsp double cream

Method

Few can resist this enticing combination of spicy ginger pudding with hot sticky toffee sauce. To help with serving, use a fish slice or palette knife to lift the squares from the tin. If it suits you, make the toffee sauce ahead and reheat.

With an electric whisk or a wooden spoon, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl’s sides to incorporate all the mixture.

Drop in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the flour and baking powder and beat until smooth. Stir in the ginger and water.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/350°F/Gas 4). Grease a deep 18cm (7in) square cake tin and line the base with baking parchment.

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and cream the mixture as shown below. Add the eggs, then the flour and baking powder. Beat well until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Stir in the stem ginger, and then 175ml (6fl oz) hot water. Pour the mixture into the tin.

Bake in the oven for 45–50 minutes, or until the pudding is well risen, browned on top, and springy to the touch.

About 10 minutes before the pudding is ready, make the toffee sauce: place the butter and sugar in a small pan and heat gently, stirring, until the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved. Stir in the cream and heat gently to warm through.

Cut the pudding into 8 even-sized squares and transfer to serving plates. Spoon over the toffee sauce and serve at once.

For more great Mary Berry recipes, why not try her delicious fruit scones, or her white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake?

Recipe from Mary Berry's Cookery Course, published by DK, £25, www.dk.co.uk.