Baked Apple Sponge

A cross between a pudding and a cake, this traditional British dessert is sweet, chunky and gooey, filled with decadent chunks of stewed fruit and paired with light, fluffy sponge. It's also an easy way to sneak some fruit into your kids (or your) diet.

Yield: Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Difficulty Level: 2/5

Ingredients

• 60 g low-fat spread
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup self-raising flour, sifted
• ½ cup low-fat milk
• Ice-cream or cream, to serve

STEWED FRUIT

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, chopped
• 2 large pears, peeled, cored, chopped
• 2 tbsps sugar
• 1 whole clove
• 1 slice lemon peel

Steps

Preheat oven to moderate, 180 C (160 C fan-forced).

02. Make stewed fruit: Place 1cm water in a saucepan with sugar, clove and lemon peel. Bring to boil, stirring. Add fruit. Cook gently, covered, for about 10 mins until tender.

03. Spoon stewed fruit into the base of a 20 cm pie plate or casserole dish.

04. In a bowl, beat spread and sugar together until creamy. Add egg, beating well. Lightly fold in flour, alternately with milk. Spread evenly over fruit.

05. Bake for 25-30 mins, until top is firm and golden. Serve warm with ice-cream or cream.

Photo: bauersyndication.com.au