Easy treacle syrup sponge pudding

Food processor - This VonShef multi-mixer machine is the ultimate kitchen multitasker - see more details here at Amazon.

Pudding basins - This bowl has a pretty heart pattern and is available here at Wilko.

You can also cook this in the microwave - it will take about 7 to 8 minutes depending on your microwave

Make sure you butter the dish really well so that the sponge doesn't stick.

Kids can help weigh and measure the ingredients, and combine them all together.

What does Treacle Sponge taste like?

Treacle sponge has a deliciously warm and comforting taste, which is why it's such a timeless favourite! The sponge itself is soft and fluffy, with a light cake-like texture. The sweetness comes from the treacle, which gives it a really unique flavour that’s not just the sweetness of plain sugar. Treacle has a rich, caramel-like taste with hints of toffee and molasses, making its flavor deep and indulgent.

When served warm, the treacle infuses the sponge with its delightful, delectable syrupy goodness, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. The top layer of the sponge may have a slightly caramelised and sticky quality from the treacle poured over it after cooking, adding an extra dimension to the taste experience.

What’s the difference between Sticky Toffee and Treacle Sponge?

Sticky toffee pudding and treacle sponge are both classic British desserts, but they have some differences in their ingredients, preparation, and taste:

Ingredients

• Sticky Toffee Pudding: The main ingredients of sticky toffee pudding are dates, which are soaked and pureed to add moisture and flavour to the dessert. It also contains butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The signature element of sticky toffee pudding is the toffee sauce made from butter, sugar, and heavy cream, which is poured over the pudding before serving.
• Treacle Sponge: Treacle sponge is primarily made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and golden syrup or black treacle (a byproduct of sugar refining). The syrup or treacle is a crucial component that gives the sponge its distinctive sweet and rich taste.

Taste and Texture

• Sticky Toffee Pudding: This dessert is incredibly moist and has a dense, sticky texture. The dates contribute to its softness and intense toffee-like flavour. The toffee sauce adds a luscious, buttery, and caramelized sweetness to the pudding.
• Treacle Sponge: Treacle sponge, as mentioned earlier, has a soft and fluffy cake-like texture. The treacle imparts a unique caramel-like sweetness, making the dessert rich and flavorful. The sponge itself is not as dense or sticky as sticky toffee pudding.

Serving Styles

• Sticky Toffee Pudding: The toffee sauce is an essential part of the dish and is generously poured over the individual servings. It creates a sticky and indulgent glaze that enhances the overall taste.
• Treacle Sponge: While treacle sponge is also served with syrup (golden syrup or black treacle) both beneath the sponge and poured on top, its consistency and serving style are slightly different from sticky toffee pudding. The syrup in treacle sponge is more evenly distributed throughout the sponge rather than forming a distinct sauce.

Regional Variations

• Sticky toffee pudding is particularly associated with Northern England and is believed to have originated in the Lake District.
• Treacle sponge is a traditional English dessert, and various regions may have their own slight variations in preparation.

In short, both sticky toffee pudding and treacle sponge are wonderful British desserts with distinctive flavours and textures. Sticky toffee pudding’s main features are its moistness and the rich toffee sauce, while treacle sponge is known for its fluffy sponge infused with the sweetness of treacle syrup.

Where does Treacle Sponge come from?

Treacle sponge has been a beloved dessert in England for a long time, forming a part of the country's culinary heritage - but its origins aren't very exactly clear! The recipe has likely evolved and been passed down through generations, becoming a cherished classic in British cuisine.

The word "treacle" itself has historical roots and originally referred to any syrup obtained during the process of refining sugar. It was a byproduct of sugar production, and over time, different types of treacle were produced, including the sweet and lightly coloured golden syrup and the darker and more robust black treacle.

The use of treacle in British desserts, including treacle sponge, can be traced back to the centuries-old tradition of using different syrups in cooking and baking, like syrup sponge pudding.

As for the sponge itself, similar steamed puddings have been part of British culinary traditions for centuries, with various recipes evolving over time. The use of treacle in steamed puddings likely emerged as a way to sweeten and flavour the sponge, making it more appealing as a dessert.

Today, treacle sponge continues to be a cherished dessert in England and is often served as a comforting treat in homes, restaurants, and pubs across the country, each even possibly having their own recipe for treacle sponge. Its popularity has also led to variations and adaptations of the recipe, but the essence of the dessert remains rooted in its historical association with treacle, warm sponge, and traditional British flavours.

For those looking to try making this classic dessert, there are various recipes available, including the famous one by Mary Berry and our easy-to-follow version for novice cooks. Some recipes call for the use of golden syrup, which adds a lovely caramel-like sweetness to the sponge, like the Golden syrup sponge recipe. You can even find pre-packaged versions of Golden syrup sponge in a tin that can be conveniently baked in the oven. Whatever the method or ingredients used, treacle sponge remains a delightful and beloved treat in the British culinary tradition.

For those looking to try making this classic dessert, there are various recipes available, including the famous one by Mary Berry and our easy-to-follow version for novice cooks. Some recipes call for the use of golden syrup, which adds a lovely caramel-like sweetness to the sponge, like the golden syrup sponge recipe. You can even find pre-packaged versions of golden syrup sponge in a tin that can be conveniently baked in the oven. Whatever the method or ingredients used, treacle sponge remains a delightful and beloved treat in the British culinary tradition.

This treacle pudding tastes great on its own, but you can also serve it with a helping of custard to satisfy the true sweet tooths in your family. Follow this recipe to make hot and hearty custard with double cream and vanilla extract.