Forgot to make the pudding? Never fear this recipe will have you sorted in no time!

1 hour, 10 minutes (25 minutes) | Serves 12

Ingredients

  • 410g can pear slices in juice  
  • 1 cup pitted dates, chopped 
  • ½ cup raisins, chopped  
  • ½ cup currants  
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar 
  • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda  
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten 
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla 
  • 1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour  
  • 1 cup fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs 
  • 1½ teaspoons mixed spice  
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • ½ teaspoon icing sugar  

Custard:

  • 1½ tablespoons custard powder 
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar 
  • 1½ cups milk 

Method

  1. Spray a 21cm non-stick bundt pan with oil.  
  2. Drain pear slices and reserve juice. Process pears in a food processor or blender to form a smooth puree. Set aside.  
  3. Combine reserved pear juice, dates, raisins, currants and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to the boil. Gently boil for 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Stir in bicarb soda. Cool 30 minutes.  
  4. Stir in pear puree, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, breadcrumbs and spices. Stir until well combined. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Smooth over top. Cover cake pan securely with foil.  
  5. Bake in a 160C oven (fan-forced) for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into pudding comes out clean. Stand pudding in pan, covered with foil for 10 minutes, then uncover and turn onto a serving plate.  
  6. Meanwhile, to make custard, place custard powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Stir in ¼ cup milk to form a smooth paste. Stir in remaining milk. Cook, stirring constantly over a medium heat until custard boils and thickens.  
  7. Dust pudding with icing sugar. Serve sliced with warm custard. 

Tips

  • Pudding can also be cooled and served as a cake. Any leftovers will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container. 
  • Bundt pans are sold in department stores and major supermarkets. 

Recipe via Heart foundation