I used to take offense if anyone ever called me lazy. The word used to conjure up not-so pretty images that I didn't want to be likened to. Now, I sometimes call myself lazy but now I think it can be a good thing. Being lazy can lead to all types of discoveries because I often look for an easier or more efficient way to do things.
Don't get me wrong, I put in the effort when it's needed but if I can see a short cut or different way to doing something that will give me the same (sometimes better) results I'll take it and I've made some great discoveries from my 'lazy' ways.
Given my new definition of lazy, I would say self-saucing pudding fits in well. It's all the deliciousness of pudding and sauce with just the effort of making pudding.
What's not to love about this 'lazy' dessert? It's also pretty economical to make and tasting the richness of the finished pudding, you'd never guess the chocolate flavour it just from cocoa.
Another good thing about this recipe? You can make it to go. We were invited to dinner at my parents that night and mum asked me to bring some sort of chocolatey thing for dessert. Self-saucing pudding is best eaten straight out of the oven so I had to prepare it to go.
I mixed up all the wet ingredients in one container, the dry in another and the brown sugar and cocoa in a third.
Just before dinner was served I whipped it all together and we dined to the aroma of chocolate pudding baking. Just pop the dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir through the wet ingredients.
Spread it all into a 6-cup capacity, greased, round dish and flatten out the top.
Sprinkle the cocoa and brown sugar mixture over the top.
Then carefully pour over the boiling water. Now here's yet another lesson I learned the hard way so you don't have to. Do as the original recipe says and start with the dish on an oven tray.
That way when it's full of boiling water you just have to lift up the tray not try and get your oven-mitted fingers around the hot dish while trying not to pour it all over yourself.
When you've managed to wrangle it, or you've got it ready on a tray because you read the recipe properly, pop it into a 160C fan-forced oven for 30-35 minutes or until it's firm on top and bounces back a bit when you touch it lightly.
Leave the baked pudding to sit for a couple of minutes. Don't be tempted to steal a bit at this stage unless you want to lose a few taste buds.
Dust the pudding generously with icing sugar.
Serve up big spoon fulls with ice-cream and berries. This particular pudding turned into Birthday pudding that night. Dad's godson and his friend were staying with mum and dad and they neglected to tell anyone it was the friend's Birthday until late that afternoon.
I was happy. Calories don't count when it's Birthday pudding. Enjoy!
What about you? Do you think being lazy is always a bad thing?
Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 80 g 3oz melted butter
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- ⅔ cup almond meal
- ½ cup caster superfine sugar
- ⅓ cup cocoa plus ¼ cup extra
- ⅔ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 cups boiling water
- icing sugar to dust
- vanilla ice-cream and berries to serve
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C(320F) fan-forced and grease a 6 cup capacity oven-proof dish (preferably round or oval).
- Place the dish on an oven tray.
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk, butter, and egg.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, almond meal, caster sugar and cocoa together.
- Pour the wet ingredients on top of the dry ingredients and stir it together.
- Spread it into the baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix the brown sugar and cocoa then sprinkle it over the top of the batter in the dish.
- Very, very carefully pour the boiling water over the top of the whole thing and then even more carefully put it in the oven.
- Bake the pudding for 30-35 minutes or until it is firm on top and springs back a little when it's lightly touched.
- Let it sit for 2-3 minutes and then sprinkle it with icing sugar and serve with ice-cream and berries.
Liz says
Hi, I made this first time last night when there were 9 of us for dinner. I did another pudding as well thinking people would choose one or the other but, no, of course not they couldn't possibly resist this pudding so they started with this then ate most of my cheesecake. They all particularly adored this one and I'd like to say that I did too but there was none left for me! I know it said it served 8 but really, talk about happy, greedy guests! I'm going to make it again tomorrow when there's only four of us and guess who'll get served first? Me! Thanks Claire, love the blog.
Claire says
Oh no sorry you missed out Liz but I'm glad it was a hit! Yes make sure you get in first this time. Thanks Liz!
Barry Peden says
Your recipe does not mention melted butter in the ingredients, but you mention it in the method
I added 80 gm of melted butter to the wet ingredients
Is this right?
Love your simple recipes
Thanks,
Barry
Claire says
Hi Barry. Oops sorry about that. Yes you're quite right! I've updated it since then.
Thank you I'm glad you like the recipes!
Fleur Phillips says
It has to be the all time best pudding in the world! Who doesn't love chocolate self saucing pudding! Yum!
Claire says
I don't know Fleur but I haven't me them!
Jess says
Is there anything better than gooey, warm chocolate? I think not.
Claire says
I agree!
Chris says
I try not to think of myself as being lazy - just keep telling myself I am working smarter, not harder! This recipe sounds like a keeper. Will definitely try it this weekend.
Claire says
Smarter not harder... I like it!
Hotly Spiced says
What a beautiful birthday pudding. I love self-saucing puddings. They are such a treat and so good at this time of year when the nights are still quite cool. I love short-cuts too - the more the merrier. Even Lorraine did a 5-6 minute baked apple on her blog this morning - it seems we're all looking for some time-saving tricks! xx
Claire says
Less time cooking means more time eating! x