Quebecois Pouding Chomeur: Maple Syrup Pudding Cake with a Self-Saucing Caramel Bottom

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and butter a 9-inch square baking dish.

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for the sauce
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• Vanilla ice cream or creme fraiche, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and butter a 9-inch square baking dish.
2. Combine the maple syrup, heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 minutes. Pour the hot sauce into the prepared dish.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
4. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, mixing just until smooth.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the batter evenly over the hot maple sauce. Do not stir; the batter will spread as it bakes and the sauce will rise around it.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and springs back when pressed, and the caramel is bubbling up around the edges.
7. Let rest for 10 minutes, then spoon into bowls, making sure each serving gets plenty of the maple caramel from the bottom. Serve warm with ice cream or creme fraiche.
8. Pouding chomeur, literally 'unemployed man's pudding,' was born in Quebec during the Great Depression, when factory workers' wives stretched flour, brown sugar and water into something that felt like a feast. As the province's maple industry grew, syrup replaced the sugar water and the humble pudding became a point of national pride, now served in sugar shacks and fine Montreal restaurants alike. Its magic is in the oven: the batter floats up while the syrup sinks into a glossy caramel, so every spoonful arrives already sauced.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 485 kcal
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 21g
• Carbohydrates: 72g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 52g
• Sodium: 310mg