Apple and Jostaberry Sponge Pudding

Tasmania is flooded with berries all summer and apples throughout the cooler months. I always freeze some berries and jostaberries freeze really well. They are a cross between a gooseberry and a black currant so they are fat, black and very flavoursome. Combined with apples they are at their best and I add star anise, cloves and a little cinnamon too.

When the mercury dips down and the nights draw in there’s nothing I enjoy more than cooking and eating a hot pudding. The recipe is in ounces because it was originally my mother’s apple sponge recipe and I like to keep her measurements to remind me of that.

All the spices and the organic flour are available at The Garden Shed and Pantry.

Apple and Jostaberry Sponge Pudding

Slice and cook in a pan: about 8 medium sized apples with 1 tablespoon of honey, 4 cloves, 1 star anise and a dash of cinnamon, adding jostaberries towards the end. Put into an oven-proof dish.

While the fruit is stewing prepare the sponge.

Heat oven to 200C

Cream: 3 ozs sugar with 3 ozs butter

Add: a dash of vanilla essence, 1 beaten egg, 6 ozs self raising flour (I use organic 85% wholemeal flour) and 3/4 cup milk

Beat quickly until a smooth batter and spoon over the hot cooked fruit.

Bake 30 – 45 minutes until nicely browned and firm to the touch.

Serve hot with ice cream or yoghurt.