Fruit sponges are very simple to make and add excitement to fruits

Ingredients

• 8-10 feijoas
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 100 grams butter
• 1/2 cup castor sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk

Method

1. Peel the feijoas and trim the ends. Cut into thick slices and place in a saucepan with the water, sugar and cloves. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until soft.
2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fruit to an oven-proof dish.
3. Boil the remaining poaching liquid down until only 2-3 tablespoons remain. Strain this over the fruit.
4. Sift the flour, ginger and baking powder together.
5. Beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Lightly beat the egg into the creamed mixture. Fold and sift the dry ingredients alternatively with the milk into the creamed mixture.
6. Spoon over the fruit. Level the top.
7. Bake at 180 C for 30-35 minutes or until the sponge is well cooked and golden.

Variations

1. Apple and passionfruit ( one of my mother's all time favourite combinations)Pear with ginger (ginger does go so well with fruits)Pear with ginger (ginger does go so well with fruits)Raspberry and appleRhubarb and orangeBerry compote