5) Holiday Hot Cake With Eggnog Cream

“A warming, welcoming pud full of seasonal spice that can be thrown together in a matter of minutes,” says Nigella. A light sponge and lashings of the eggnog cream make this slightly spiced bowl of sticky and sweet indulgence the kind of pud memories are made of.

Nigella LawsonNigella's Eggnog, anyone?

The sponge may not be photogenic but once doused with the rich sauce, takes on a regality fitting of a dessert table showstopper. The method may seem a little weird at first – pouring boiling water on batter – but don’t worry yourself that Nigella was a little tipsy on the ‘nog at the time (or worse), as all will turn out smashing if you follow the instructions carefully. Also, don’t be afraid to use this very special cream for any others desserts too. Good job there’s more than one hole on our belt buckle!

Ingredients:

150 grams plain flour

300 grams light brown muscovado sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons mixed spice

125 ml full fat milk

60 ml vegetable oil

1 large egg

6 teaspoons butter

500 ml boiling water

350 ml double cream

125 ml advocaat

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220°C/gas mark 7/425ºF and place a baking sheet on the shelf. Put water on to boil.

2. Mix together the flour, 100g / ½ cup of the sugar, the baking powder, 1 teaspoon of the ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of the mixed spice, and the milk, oil and egg.

3. Put into a greased, round baking dish (23cm diameter x 6cm deep / 9 inch round x 2¼ inches deep).

4. In another bowl, mix together the remaining 200g / 1 cup of sugar with the remaining teaspoons each of mixed spice and ground ginger, and sprinkle over the batter in its baking dish. Dot the butter on top and pour the boiling water over the mixture. Trust me.

5. Put the dish on the baking sheet in the oven for 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving, and make sure you scoop out the sauce beneath the sponge in the dish.

6. Put the cream and advocaat into a bowl. Using an electric whisk, whip until thick but still soft. Serve with the Holiday Hotcake.