Combine the classic flavours of coconut, pineapple and rum in this retro pudding that comes with a fabulous custard. A perfect winter dining centrepiece
Prep:30 mins
Serves 6
140g coconut oil, plus extra for the pudding basin432g can pineapple rings in juice100g glacé cherries, halved140g self-raising flour, plus 1 tsp140g white caster sugar2 large eggs1 tbsp golden syrup, warmed
STEP 1Line the base of a 1-litre pudding basin with a disc of baking parchment, then oil the parchment. Drain the pineapple and save the juice. Pat the rings dry with kitchen paper, then use them to line the base and sides of the basin, cutting the last couple to fill any gaps. Push a halved cherry in each pineapple hole and any other gaps – you should have some left over.STEP 2Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Boil the kettle. Melt the remaining coconut oil in a pan or the microwave. While it cools, put 140g flour and the sugar into a bowl and stir together. Toss the remaining cherries through 1 tsp flour.STEP 3Pour the coconut oil into the flour mixture along with the eggs, cherries and 2 tbsp pineapple juice. Fold everything together with a spatula and gently scrape into the pudding basin. Cover the pudding with a sheet of baking parchment, then a sheet of foil, with a folded pleat down the centre. Stand in a deep roasting tin on the middle shelf of the oven and pour the kettle-hot water into the tin, to come about half way up the sides of the basin. Bake for 2 hrs 15 mins. Insert a skewer into the centre of the pudding – it will come out clean if it’s cooked, but if not, re-cover and return to the oven for 10 mins, then check again.STEP 4To make the custard, pour the coconut milk into a small pan and warm it, but don’t let it boil. Whisk the egg, yolk, cornflour, sugar and rum in a jug. Whisk in the warm coconut milk, then pour the liquid through a sieve back into the pan. Return to a low-medium heat and stir constantly until thickened. Stir in the vanilla.STEP 5To serve, carefully turn it out onto a plate, brush the pudding with the warmed golden syrup, then serve hot with the warm coconut custard.
