Name: Easy Treacle Sponge Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 250g golden syrup; Zest of 1 lemon; Juice of ½ lemon; 5 tbsp breadcrumbs; 200g butter, softened; 200g golden caster sugar; 3 medium eggs; 200g self-raising flour; 5 tbsp milk

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Introduction

Treacle sponge is a classic British dessert that’s wonderfully sticky and sweet with a zesty twist. This easy recipe combines golden syrup and lemon for a comforting treat that’s perfect after dinner or any time you crave something warm and indulgent.

The image shows a rectangular white baking dish filled with golden brown baked cornbread, with a square section missing from the bottom left corner revealing a layer of bright orange, gooey cooked peaches underneath. The cornbread top layer looks crumbly and slightly rough in texture, while the peach layer appears soft and juicy. A silver spoon with some of the dessert on it rests on a wooden board next to the dish. In the background, there is a white plate holding a piece of the cornbread with peach filling, and a white marbled surface is under the baking dish. A green and white striped cloth is partly visible near the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

250g golden syrup
Zest of 1 lemon, plus juice of ½ lemon
5 tbsp breadcrumbs
200g butter, softened
200g golden caster sugar
3 medium eggs
200g self-raising flour
5 tbsp milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or Gas Mark 4. In a 1.5-litre baking dish, mix the golden syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, and breadcrumbs together. Spread this syrup mixture evenly over the base of the dish.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and golden caster sugar together until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 3: Gently fold the self-raising flour and milk into the butter mixture to create a smooth batter.
Step 4: Spoon or dollop the batter evenly over the syrup layer in the baking dish without mixing the two layers together.
Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes until the sponge is golden, risen, and a skewer inserted into the sponge comes out mostly clean.
Step 6: Serve warm with custard, cream, or ice cream, and don’t forget to drizzle any extra syrup over the top for added sweetness.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh lemon zest and juice for a bright contrast to the sweet syrup. You can substitute golden syrup with dark treacle for a richer flavor.
Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or mixed spice to the batter for a warm, fragrant twist.
For a gluten-free version, substitute self-raising flour with a gluten-free baking blend and ensure the breadcrumbs are gluten-free.

Storage

Store any leftover treacle sponge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving. It’s best enjoyed warm with custard or cream.

How to Serve

A rectangular white dish with golden brown cobbler topping that looks crumbly on top, revealing a bright yellow, slightly runny fruit filling underneath in the lower left corner; next to it is a silver spoon resting on a light brown wooden cutting board, with a portion of the cobbler served on a white plate in the background; a woman's hand is holding the spoon scooping some of the cobbler; the background surface is a white marbled texture with a pale green striped cloth partially visible on the right side; photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare treacle sponge in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the batter and syrup layers separately and assemble just before baking. The cooked sponge can be reheated and served the next day, though it’s freshest on the day it’s made.

What can I use instead of golden syrup?

If you don’t have golden syrup, light corn syrup or honey can be used as substitutes, though the flavor will be slightly different. Dark treacle will give a stronger, more distinctive taste.