A delicious Recipe from Tim O'Sullivan, Renvyle House Hotel, Connemara for his Chocolate Steamed Pudding

CHOCOLATE STEAMED PUDDING

CHOCOLATE STEAMED PUDDING
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:
100g (4oz) Plain Chocolate
80ml Cream
100g (4oz) Butter (softened)
100g (4oz) Castor Sugar
2 tsp Brandy
2 Eggs
90g (3 ½ oz) Self Raising Flour
50g (2 oz) Cocoa Powder

Method:
To make the filling:  Heat the cream in a pan until hot but not boiling.  Remove from heat and add the chocolate, stir until melted, add the brandy.  Pour into a bowl and chill for 2-3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 200°C / Gas Mark 6. 
Lightly grease 4 x 150ml pudding moulds, Base line with greaseproof paper.
Cream together the butter and sugar in a bowl.  Gradually add the eggs beating well. 
Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the mixture and fold in.  Spoon 1 Tbsp pudding mixture into the base of each mould.  Place a ball of chocolate filling into each mould.  Top the remaining pudding mixture. Level and cover with greaseproof paper.  Secure with a string.
Place moulds on a grill rack over a roasting tin half filled with boiling water.  Cover with foil and place in the oven and cook for 30-35 minutes.
Turn the pudding out onto warmed serving plates and serve with vanilla ice cream.