Microwave Sponge - Help! What have I done wrong?

Paulie'sGirl

Hi all,

Spurred on by the recent thread on microwave sponges, I tried a syrup sponge for pudding this evening. All was going well, and smelt good, but when I got it out of the microwave there was no syrup left at the bottom, and the bottom of the sponge had basically burned (to a burnt toffee like taste)

What did I do wrong? I used 2oz sugar, SR flour, butter and 1 egg (cos it was just for 2 of us) and a good glug of syrup. I cooked for 3 mins on 800w

Any suggestions on where I went wrong are welcome!

(BG - please can you merge me back into the sponges thread when I've had some replies? Thank you!)

A puzzled PGxx

Butterfly_Brain

You cooked it for too long an 800w microwave is very fast , what I would do is try giving it 2 mins and see how you go - unfortunately with microwave cooking a lot of it is trial and error because every microwave is different.

Paulie'sGirl

Thanks butterfly Brain,

I looked at 2 mins but it still looked soft on the top. Should it look soft? Or do I need a shallower bowl?

Many thanks for a quick response!

PGxx

Butterfly_Brain

Don't forget that it carries on cooking for 1 minute after you take it out of the microwave but if you want you could blast it for another 30 seconds and see how you go. x

tanith

I think I read somewhere that syrup does burn easily... maybe make the sponge without the syrup and then pour the warmed syrup over when its done.. I would also think 2 mins would be enough to cook the sponge.

looby-loo_2

I agree, too long, try 2 minutes.
NEVER LET THE CLING FLM TOUCH THE FOOD

Paulie'sGirl

Thanks all,

Oh well, live and learn!!!

I did use cling film, it didn't enter my head it would keep cooking. I'll bear that in mind. Also I cooked it for the time meant for the full 4oz recipe didn't I, so obviously that's too long.

After thoughts are wiser thoughts!

At least now there's a "trouble-shooting guide" to microwave sponges now!!

Thanks again all,

PGxx

sb44

looby-loo wrote: »

Also try lemon, chocolate (cocoa or drops), jam, mamalade. All quick and easy and worth trying again

Does anyone use lemon curd in their sponge puddings?

chocolate.orange_2

sb44 wrote: »

Does anyone use lemon curd in their sponge puddings?

I have they are really nice:D

sb44

chocolate.orange wrote: »

I have they are really nice:D

Do you put a dollop in the bottom of the bowl before you pour the sponge mix in or do you add it to the mixture?

I must give it a try whichever way you use it as I have nearly a full jar to use up.

Ezmondino

I put a bit of syrup in the bowl and the mixture. As other have a said, it might look uncooked in the middle but 2 mins should be plenty for 1 egg.

If you fancy chocolate ones just add abit of cocoa instead of flour say 1 1/2 oz s/r flour, 1/2 oz cocoa. Otherwise the same recipe without the syrup.

Melt some chocolate on defrost in the microwave first. Then add some milk and mix it together until you get the thickness you want. Put the chocolate sauce back in to warm it up (you can put the heat back up from defrost - I have never had chocolate sauce burn like this.) It won't take long. Take it out, give it a stir. Put the raw sponge mixture in to cook for 1 1/2 mins on full. Whilst you serve the sponge put the chocolate sauc back in the microwave to wamr up again. Yum!:D I find 50gms of choc with milk is enough for 1 eggs worth of mixture.