Grandma's Apple Sponge Pudding

Step 1: Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced.

Step 2: Peel, quarter and core apples and cut into 2.5cm pieces.

Step 3: Place in a large saucepan and add caster sugar, cloves and 1 cup water and cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender.

Step 4: Remove and discard cloves.

Step 5: Spoon mixture into a 6 cup capacity ovenproof dish.

Step 6: Make sponge using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 7: Gradually beat in egg and vanilla, beating until mixture thickens.

Step 8: Sift flour and salt in a bowl and then add 1/2 the flour and 1/2 the milk to the butter mixture and fold to combine.

Step 9: Add remaining flour mixture an d milk and fold to combine (folding the flour and milk into the mixture until just combined ensure a light and fluffy sponge and stop it going tough).

Step 10: Pour over hot apple mixture (apples must be hot).

Step 11: Bake for 30 minutes or until top is golden and sponge springs back when lightly touched.

Step 12: Dust with icing sugar and serve with whipped cream and custard.