Queen of Puddings - Baked Raspberry and Meringue Pudding

This is probably one of the lightest and most mouth-watering puddings ever invented. This delightful old fashioned British "Pud" consists of layers of baked custard, raspberry jam and is finished with clouds of light, fluffy meringue - truly a Queen in the pudding world. It is a quintessential Nursery dessert, something that Nanny would rustle up for her young charges in the nursery. My mum would often make this for Sunday high tea, and we all loved it. I often use brioche crumbs for a richer custard base, but any white bread crumbs will be fine. There are numerous recipes for this classic dessert; this recipe is by James Martin, one of my favourite British chefs.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 1 Queen of Puddings

Ingredients

• For the pudding

• 8  fluid ounces milk
• 8  fluid ounces  double cream
• 1  vanilla pod, split
• 3 1⁄2 ounces caster sugar
• 5  free-range  egg yolks
• 5  ounces  fresh breadcrumbs
• 2  lemons, zest only
• 7  ounces  raspberry jam

• For the meringue topping

• 4  free-range  egg whites
• 4  ounces caster sugar
• 1  tablespoon icing sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/310F/Gas 2.
2. For the pudding base, pour the milk and cream into a pan and add the split vanilla pod. Bring slowly to the boil over a medium heat.
3. Place the sugar into a large bowl with the egg yolks and whisk until the mixture is light and creamy.
4. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the hot milk and cream, whisking all the time, then add the breadcrumbs and lemon zest.
5. Half-fill a roasting tin with boiling water to make a bain-marie. Pour the pudding mixture into individual ramekins, or one large oven-proof baking dish and place them into the bain-marie.
6. Place the bain-marie in the centre of the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pudding or puddings are almost set, but still slightly wobbly in the centre.
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
8. Increase the oven temperature to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
9. For the meringue topping, place the egg whites into a large clean bowl and whisk until stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed. Gradually whisk in the caster sugar, a tablespoonful at a time.
10. Place the jam into a small pan over a low heat and gently melt. Spread the jam over the top of the puddings, then cover the puddings completely with the meringue mixture.
11. Sprinkle with the icing sugar and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is crisp and lightly browned.
12. To serve, remove from the oven and serve immediately.