Recipes:Quick sticky toffee puddings

Discover a shameless shortcut to this family favourite pud

4 large chocolate muffins , crumbled
50g large sultanas
small knob of butter , for greasing

FOR THE SAUCE

50g light muscovado sugar
50g butter
75ml double cream
vanilla ice cream, to serve

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the muffins with the sultanas. Divide between 4 buttered ramekins or one baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 8 mins until just warmed through.
Meanwhile, place the sugar, butter and cream in a small pan and gently heat together, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Pour the sauce over the muffin mixture and serve warm with ice cream.

Get ahead

To prepare ahead, don't bake the muffin mixture, just pour over the sauce and leave to cool. Chill until ready to serve, then bake at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 15-20 minutes until bubbling and piping hot.

Variations

For an adult-only pudding, try soaking the sultanas in a little Marsala or medium Sherry for 5 mins before mixing with the crumbled muffins. Or, to make sticky banoffee puddings, simply swap the sultanas for 1-2 chopped bananas.