Steamed Orange Pudding

We spent the morning in our garden, cleaning up the weeds and pruning back trees and discovered there were some oranges on our orange tree, this provided me with an unexpected baking opportunity. I spent some time pondering baking opportunities and I was focused on dessert. I spent some time exploring pies and tarts and in the end decided I needed a lazy cook option and decided on a steamed orange pudding.

This Orange Pudding is so quick to prepare, just quickly mix together all the ingredients and and place into boiling water then just wait for this delicious pudding to be ready to serve and with an hour and a half to steam I took the time to enjoy an afternoon nap.

Steamed Orange Pudding

185 g butter softened
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 teaspoons orange rind finely grated
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup milk pure cream, to serve
Syrup:
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 oranges peeled, segmented
Grease an 8 cup-capacity metal pudding steamer. Line base with baking paper.
Using an electric mixer beat butter, sugar and orange rind until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating to combine. Sift flour over mixture. Add milk. Fold until just combined.
Spoon mixture into prepared steamer. Smooth top. Secure lid. Place in a large saucepan. Carefully pour boiling water into pan until halfway up side of steamer. Cover pan. Place over medium heat. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes, topping up with boiling water when necessary.
Meanwhile, make syrup Combine orange juice and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring for 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves (do not boil). Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes or until thick and syrupy. Remove from heat. Add orange segments.
Remove pan from heat. Carefully lift steamer from water. Stand for 10 minutes. Remove lid. Turn pudding onto a plate. Spoon over syrup. Serve.