Golden Syrup Dumplings
In short: Soft little dumplings simmered in a buttery golden syrup sauce, a warming old-fashioned Australian winter pudding served with ice cream. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 425 kcal
Golden syrup dumplings are a cold-weather pudding that many Australians remember from childhood. Small balls of soft, scone-like dough are dropped into a simmering sauce of golden syrup, butter and water, where they puff up and soak in the sweetness. Everything cooks in one pan in about 20 minutes, and the dumplings are best served hot, with vanilla ice cream or custard to cool the sticky sauce.
Instructions
- Rub the cold butter into the flour and sugar with your fingertips until it looks like fine crumbs.
- Pour the water, golden syrup, brown sugar, butter and salt into a wide, deep frying pan with a lid. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Stir the milk into the flour mixture with a knife until a soft, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Drop 8 heaped tablespoons of dough into the simmering syrup, spacing them apart. Cover and cook gently for 15 to 18 minutes, without lifting the lid for the first 10 minutes.
- Check that a skewer pushed into a dumpling comes out clean. Rest the pan off the heat for 5 minutes so the syrup thickens slightly.
- Serve hot, with plenty of syrup spooned over and a scoop of ice cream.
Tips
- Keep the syrup at a gentle simmer. A hard boil breaks up the dumplings and can scorch the sugar.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon to the syrup for a little brightness against the sweetness.
Questions and answers
Can I make golden syrup dumplings ahead?
They are best fresh, because the dumplings soften as they stand. You can mix the dry ingredients and the syrup ahead, then stir in the milk and cook just before serving.
What can I use if I do not have golden syrup?
Light corn syrup works, as does a mix of honey and a little maple syrup, although the flavor will differ. Dark treacle is too strong.
Can I use plain flour instead of self-raising?
Yes. Add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder to 150 g (1 cup) plain flour in place of the self-raising flour.
How long does it take to make Golden Syrup Dumplings?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Golden Syrup Dumplings?
About 425 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 72 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 425 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 72 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 47 g |
| Sodium | 260 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
