This old-fashioned dessert is a lovely way to use up whatever apples, pears and plums you have in the fruit bowl — even if the plums aren’t quite ripe, they’ll still soften and sweeten nicely in the pan. It’s a comforting, no-fuss family pudding that’s just as good served for a Sunday dinner as it is for a midweek treat.
Ingredients
- 1.5kg mixture of eating apples, pears and plums
- 1 thin slice of butter
- 100g light brown sugar
- a good pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg and ground ginger
- 1 bay leaf
For the batter:
- 200g butter, softened
- 200g golden caster sugar
- 5 eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- Softly whipped cream to serve
Method
- Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC/gas 4. You’ll need a 20cm buttered baking dish.
- Peel and core the apples and pears and cut into quarters. Halve the plums and remove the stones.
- Put the fruit, brown sugar, spices, bay leaf and butter into a large saucepan and stew gently for 25 minutes with the lid on, giving it an occasional stir.
- To make the batter: put all the batter ingredients into a food processor and whizz until smooth.
- Drain the fruit using a sieve and reserve the liquid. Put the fruit into the base of the baking dish and spoon the batter over the top. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and a skewer comes out clean when tested.
- Serve warm with softly whipped cream.
You might also enjoy Pear and Almond Pudding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different fruit in an Eve’s pudding?
Yes — Eve’s pudding is a forgiving recipe. While this version uses a mix of apples, pears and plums, you can adjust the balance depending on what’s in season, or use just apples if that’s what you have.
Can I make Eve’s pudding ahead of time?
It’s best served fresh from the oven while the sponge is warm and light, but you can prepare the stewed fruit in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to add the batter and bake.
What can I serve with Eve’s pudding instead of cream?
Softly whipped cream is traditional, but custard, ice cream or natural yoghurt all work well as an alternative.
Why did my batter sink into the fruit?
This can happen if the fruit is too wet when the batter goes on. Make sure to drain the stewed fruit well using a sieve before spooning the batter over the top.
Share Your Eve’s Pudding Tips
Do you have a favourite twist on Eve’s pudding? We’d love to hear how your family makes it — share your version in the comments below.
More Family Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this pudding, take a browse through our other family-friendly dessert ideas for more comforting recipes worth adding to your regular rotation.
Get More Ideas Like This
Sign up for our free MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly recipe ideas, activities and offers for the whole family — straight to your inbox, no spam, just useful stuff.
