Microwave Syrup Sponge

Name: Microwave Syrup Sponge
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 100g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing; 100g caster sugar; 125g self-raising flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 2 large eggs; 2 tbsp full-fat milk; 4 tbsp golden syrup; To serve:; 4 tbsp golden syrup; Custard

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Sometimes you just need pudding - and this Microwave Syrup Sponge is guaranteed to hit the spot! Imagine a deliciously sweet sponge with the most unbelievably moist, soft texture… it's the perfect comfort food pudding that will warm your soul. Served with lashings of vanilla custard or just-melting vanilla ice cream, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it…

Pouring custard over Microwave Syrup Sponge

I think lots of people think school syrup sponge puddings are complicated and time consuming. However this Microwave Syrup Sponge is super simple, quick and easy. The secret? It is steamed in the microwave, rather than the traditional method which can take hours, meaning you can be tucking into the most delicious steamed syrup pudding in under 20 minutes (making it even quicker and easier than my Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding)! What’s more, it is super versatile. The traditional version is made with syrup, but you can also enjoy it with all sorts of fruit jams and curds. I once had huge success with cherry jam and a couple of drops of almond extract for a delicious Bakewell-inspired steamed sponge. Just don’t forget the custard…

Why you will love this Microwave Syrup Sponge recipe:

It is so quick and easy - you can have a delicious pudding on the table in under 20 minutes.
It is sweet, moist and utterly delicious - the perfect comforting pudding.
It is so versatile - you can change the flavour by using all sorts of different jams and fruit curds.
It is made in one bowl and doesn’t use any special equipment.
It is budget-friendly and uses ingredients you are likely to already have to hand.

You will need the following ingredients:

Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, just scroll down!

Butter - opt for unsalted so you can control the salt level in the sponge. Also, make sure it is softened before you start creaming it with the sugar or else you will end up with lumps of butter which will impact the final texture.

Caster sugar - this adds sweetness and moisture to this Microwave Syrup Sponge. You could use golden caster (it will have a more golden hue) or granulated if that is what you have to hand.

Self-raising flour - this helps create a light Microwave Syrup Sponge.

Baking powder - to help create the signature light texture in an old school syrup sponge, a little extra raising agent is needed.

Eggs - use free-range large eggs if you can. I recommend choosing ones with the British Lion mark.

Milk - this helps create a deliciously moist Microwave Syrup Sponge. I recommend using full-fat for the best results.

Golden syrup - it wouldn’t be a Microwave Syrup Sponge without golden syrup! It adds to the sweetness and also creates the most delicious sticky ‘sauce’.

Custard - few things make me happier than a comforting pudding served with lashings of warm vanilla custard. You could make your own or use shop-bought (fresh or tinned - there is no judgement here!).

Substitutions and Variations:

Vanilla: sometimes I add a couple of drops of vanilla extract or a little vanilla bean paste to the batter to give this Microwave Syrup Sponge a subtle vanilla flavour. Make sure you don’t use vanilla essence as that is made with artificial ingredients and no one wants a syrup sponge with a synthetic taste.
Almond: you could add a couple of drops of almond extract for a hint of almond flavour. It gives this syrup sponge a hint of Bakewell vibes if you serve it with raspberries or cherries.
Citrus: if you want to add a refreshing citrus note to this Microwave Syrup Sponge, grate the zest of a lemon or orange into the batter. It gives it a bit of a lift and cuts through the sweetness.
Spice: for warming comfort vibes, you could add a pinch of ground spice to the syrup sponge batter before steaming in the microwave. Ground cinnamon, mixed spice or ginger all work well.
Golden syrup: obviously this is a Microwave Syrup sponge so I have included golden syrup in the recipe. However, you could ring the changes and swap for your favourite fruit jam (raspberry, strawberry, cherry, apricot and blackcurrant all work well) or curd (lemon curd would make a deliciously zesty pudding).
Custard: this steamed sponge is also delicious drizzled with lashings of cream or with a generous scoop of just-melting vanilla ice cream. You could also whip up some crème chantilly (vanilla-infused whipped cream) and serve a dollop on the side.

Here's how to make Microwave Syrup Sponge:

Here's a step by step guide for what you need to do, but you can find the full recipe below for detailed instructions.

ONE: Grease a microwave-safe bowl with butter, then cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

TWO: Sift in the flour and baking powder. Add the eggs and milk and beat until combined to form a soft and creamy batter.

4. Spoon the golden syrup into the bottom of the prepared bowl and spread to cover the base. Spoon the batter on top.

THREE: Spoon the golden syrup into the bottom of the prepared bowl and spread to cover the base. Spoon the batter on top.

FOUR: Cover with cling film and microwave on full power for about 4 minutes. Or until the sponge begins to shrink from the sides and is springy to the touch.

5. Leave to stand for about 2-3 minutes before turning out onto a flat plate - take care, it will be hot!

FIVE: Leave to stand for about 2-3 minutes before turning out onto a flat plate - take care, it will be hot!

SIX: Carefully warm through 4 tablespoon golden syrup and pour over the top of the pudding. Spoon into bowls and serve with custard.

Cooking Tips:

Turning out: if you are having trouble turning out your Microwave Syrup Sponge, simply run a small palette knife around the edge to loosen the sides, then try again.
Microwave time: the exact time it takes your Microwave Syrup Sponge to cook depends on your microwave, so watch closely. Be very careful when you take it out as it will be hot!

Frequently Asked Questions

What other flavours can I try of this Microwave Syrup Sponge?

Obviously this recipe is for an old school Microwave Syrup Sponge. But you can ring the changes and try all sorts of different flavours of fruit jam or curd (and don’t worry, they don’t have to be homemade - shop-bought options are absolutely fine!). I love experimenting with raspberry, strawberry, cherry, apricot and blackcurrant jam - or making a deliciously zesty Microwave Lemon Sponge with lemon curd.

What can I serve with this Microwave Syrup Sponge?

I have opted to serve this Microwave Syrup Sponge with lashings of custard (you could make your own or use shop-bought - tinned or fresh is fine). But there are plenty of other things which are equally delicious to serve it with. Sometimes I have it drizzled with plenty of cream, a dollop of crème chantilly (vanilla-infused whipped cream) or a generous scoop of just-melting vanilla ice cream. It is also divine when served with fruit. Often, I have it with some seasonal berries or a berry compote - the fruity flavours complement the sweetness beautifully (raspberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries… the choice is up to you!). You could also serve it with tinned fruit like pears, apricots or peaches. Yum!

Other recipes you might enjoy:

If you like the sound of this Microwave Syrup Sponge, I have so many other comforting pudding recipes for you to try! My Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding is rich, indulgent and is good enough to serve for a special occasion - although easy enough to make on a weeknight when you want to enjoy a warming chocolate-y treat. Speaking of easy puddings, my Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix has a nifty trick of using a shop-bought cake mix to help speed things along. Trust me, it is so delicious - especially served with ice cream.

I also love making my Caramelised Upside Down Cake - it is utterly irresistible served pudding-style (e.g. slightly warmed) with custard. If you came to this Microwave Syrup Sponge for the old school vibes, my School Cake Sprinkle Sponge with Custard is the recipe for you. Imagine a sweet vanilla sponge with homemade custard and super pretty colourful sprinkles. So good.

Made this recipe and loved it?

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