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This recipe for gluten free self saucing lemon pudding is very similar to my gluten free self saucing chocolate pudding. Easily one of the true classic comfort food puddings and can be enjoyed on a cold winter’s eve or a refreshing summer pudding.
It’s worth noting that this pudding is just as delicious the next day, or day after that and can easily be reheated in the microwave so don’t let any go to waste.
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Skip to the good bit
- How sharp/sweet can you make this self saucing lemon pudding
- So what is a self saucing pudding?
- How does a self saucing pudding work?
- Different ways to serve my Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding
- Other recipes that are similar to this Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding
- Equipment you will need
- Ingredients you will need
- Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding Recipe
How sharp/sweet can you make this self saucing lemon pudding
I’ve said it before, I’m not the world’s biggest chocolate pudding fan! So the idea behind this gluten free self saucing lemon pudding was to feed a craving I had for a sweet pudding with a delicious zing to it.
Of course if you prefer your puddings with less zing add more sugar, like more zing, add less sugar. It really is that easy.
This recipe has quite a ‘ZING’ to it due to there being two lemons use in the zest and juice elements. If you prefer a sweeter lemony taste I would recommend adding an extra 50g of the sugar to both the sponge layer and the lemon pouring liquid. Always remember to taste as you go along so that you can make it to your liking.
So what is a self saucing pudding?
For those unfamiliar with self saucing puddings, have faith with the method, it seems completely daft to make a sponge batter and then drown it in a runny chocolate liquid but believe me, this works. The chemistry of baking means the sauce sinks and thickens at the bottom and a super soft moist sponge appears on top by magic. The best bit of all…that first dip into the pudding to see the hidden treasure beneath, it never fails to make me smile. Incidentally, this is why this pudding can also be known as the Magic Pudding or Magic Sauce Pudding or more recently I’ve seen a similar non-gluten free recipe referred to as Lemon Puddle Pudding or Lemon Surprise Pudding. I guess it really does depend on where you are in the world.
What do you call it? I’d love to know and where you are from leave me a message in the comments, I read everyone and every day is a school day.
How does a self saucing pudding work?
Well that my dear reader is the magical bit, and I’ll confess to being a bit bemused by the science but basically, your make a seemingly normal cake batter with the flavour combination of your choice; lemon, chocolate, coffee (ooh coffee, think I’ll give that a go soon). Then you add the batter to your pudding dish. The next thing seems a bit odd but you make a sweet runny liquid with the same flavour notes and then drown you cake or pudding batter – bonkers!
Different ways to serve my Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding
As this pudding self sauces, you could simply have it on its own, but come on, what’s a pudding without lashings of custard. To make cheap dairy free custard I use Birds Custard Powder in fact, for those new to dairy free here’s my simple guide here Quick and Easy Dairy Free Custard. While I do like the ready-made dairy free custards out there, I find that most of them don’t like being heated up and can turn quite watery. With my trusty old Birds I am in control and can make it as thick or as runny as I wish.
My kids love to have squirty cream with most puddings so that would probably be their top choice but if I’m not in a custard mood then it has to be cream (soya cream in my case). If you have other ways you love to eat your puddings and if you make my gluten free self saucing lemon pudding I’d love to know how you eat yours? Feel free to comment below, I love to hear from my readers.
Other recipes that are similar to this Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding
Here’s a thought, how about my Gluten Free Swiss Roll made with Granny’s Quick Lemon Curd from Fab Food 4 All. There’s also my Easy Gluten Free Lemon Cheesecake for you to try your hand at, it really is very easy indeed. How about this Gluten and Dairy Free Lemon and Polenta Cake by Free From Fairy. Finally, stop the press and hold onto your hats, this Lemon, Ginger and Dark Chocolate Tart from the Gluten Free Alchemist is a right show stopper, prepare to be amazed!
Equipment you will need
Ingredients you will need
For the sponge
- butter or butter alternative (I use Flora plant butter)
- caster sugar
- 1 egg or 1bsp of dry flaxseed in the flour
- dairy free milk I use soya milk, but you can use normal milk
- gluten free self raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 lemons zest only
For the liquid
- caster sugar
- 2 lemons juice from both lemons that you took zest from
- dairy free milk I use soya milk, but you can use normal milk
Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding Recipe
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Gluten Free Self Saucing Lemon Pudding
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 60 g butter or butter alternative (I use Flora plant butter) or butter if you like
- 150 g caster sugar
- 1 egg or 1bsp of dry flaxseed in the flour
- 200 ml dairy free milk I use soya milk, but you can use normal milk
- 200 g gluten free self raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 lemons zest only
For the liquid
- 100 g caster sugar
- 2 lemons juice from both lemons that you took zest from
- 150 ml dairy free milk I use soya milk, but you can use normal milk
Instructions
How to make the sponge
- In a mixer or large bowl cream together the dairy free spread or butter with the caster sugar until light a fluffy.
- Add the egg and repeat beating together [for egg – free version see notes].
- Pour in the milk or milk alternative and beat rapidly, the sponge batter will probably appear curdled at this point, don’t worry, this is normal.
- Add the self raising flour and baking powder and beat to a smooth batter.
- Pour the batter into a well greased pudding dish, you’ll need a 2pt pudding dish for this recipe.
To make the lemon sauce
- In a jug measure the caster sugar and add the lemon juice, top up to the 200ml mark with your choice of milk (approx. 150ml) and stir thoroughly to combine until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the lemon sauce over the top of the sponge batter, it will look an awful mess, don’t panic, this is fine!
- Pop into a preheated oven at 180°C | 160°C fan | 350°F | Gas Mark 4 for 30-35 minutes, the pudding will be ready, when the sponge is springy to the touch and the sauce beneath bubbles, if you’ve not baked in a glass dish you’ll see the sauce bubbling up the sides of the dish.
Notes
Nutrition
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I truly appreciate how you’ve taken the time to cater to those with dietary restrictions, making sure that everyone can indulge in a sweet, tangy, and comforting dessert. Your blog is a haven for those seeking gluten-free culinary inspiration.
What are the flaxseed/chia seeds for
Can I add egg instead
Oh crickey! Thanks for this comment Belinda, I clearly had my ‘only Rebecca can eat this’ head on when I wrote this up, it’s supposed to say egg or flaxseed egg if necessary. Thank you so much for brining this to my attention. I shall amend immediately. But to answer your question now, yes, use one egg as you normally would in a cake batter. Rebecca x
Made this with almond milk in the sponge batter, and soya milk in the lemon sauce. Easy recipe to follow and I was pleasantly surprised with the flavour – more lemony than I expected.
What a lovely comment to come back to after the weekend. Thank you so much Sue, thrilled you enjoyed this magical recipe xx
This looks amazing! I try to avoid Soy milk would another milk work the same?
HI Michelle. This recipe is rather flexible when it comes to milk and milk alternatives. If you avoid milk then use your normal milk alternative. I’ve made this pudding with GF Oat milk, soya milk, and almond milk. The only recommendation I’d make is to go for a milk substitute that looks and behaves like milk i.e. not a thin watery milk alternative as these can misbehave and split (rice milk can be such a beast!) On the other hand. If you CAN tolerate milk feel free to add the cow juice haha.
Easy to make. Lovely lemon favour.
Needs some cream or yoghurt to serve. I only had a rice pudding & surprise it was lovely. As long as you aren’t counting calories.🤣🤣
I love this comment, agree it’s best served with custard or cream but the rice pudding – pure genius that’s a great improvisation hahaha.
Tried this recipe today and was a little apprehensive especially after pouring in the sauce but turned out to be delicious! Tangy, sweet but not overly, lemon flavour was just right. This pudding sings. Will be added to my list of favourites.
It is a pudding of faith Dawn! You think to yourself that you’ve drowned it and it could never work – that’s why it’s so magical. Thank you for you feedback, getting these lovely comments truly makes my day.
Oh my goodness this sounds so lush. I have never made a self sourcing pudding so feeling very inspired. I just love puddings like these. These are the puddings our children will remember with love. Thank you so much for bringing this to #BakingCrumbs
I love a self-saucing pudding! And lemon? Hmmm, I could almost taste it – yum! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
YUM! I love lemon puddings and I really like the idea of a self-saucing one! Actually, you’ve just jogged a memory for me, Mum used to make a self-saucing pudding she called ‘lemon surprise’ – the surprise was supposed to be the sauce, but she never quite got it right and so there was never any sauce (clearly she didn’t have your fab recipe!) – still tasted good though! Eb x
Hehe, that’s made me giggle, so effectively your mum was just making ‘Lemon’ hahaha.
Ooo, vegan & gluten free- perfect. I know what you mean about ready made vegan custard, we use cornflour & a dash of vanilla (same recipe as your Birds) instead. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
Ooh clever, never thought to make it that way, thank you.
This looks delicious! #ThatFridayLinky
This looks so yummy fab recipe Thanks for linking to #Thatfridaylinky hope to see you next week
Oh I do love a good lemon pudding. Thank you for sharing this one with #CookBlogShare, it sure looks good!
I’ve never made any self saucing puds before but your zingy one is just up my street – I love citrusy bakes and desserts! Definitely on the list to try! Oh and for me it would have to be custard. :) Thank you for sharing with #BakingCrumbs :) x