In our Spring 2014 issue we held a competition for the best home recipe. The winner was Roy, who received a copy of Jack Monroe‘s book A Girl Called Jack.

Here is his winning recipe…

Serves 8, Costs £1.40

• 110g butter or margarine
• 220g dried fruit
• 1/2 grated apple
• 140ml water
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp treacle
• 110g plain flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 egg, beaten

Method

• 1. Line a heatproof plastic or glass bowl (no smaller than 20cm) with cling film and set aside
  2. Place butter, dried fruit, apple, water, sugar and treacle in a saucepan, and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, place in a heatproof bowl in the microwave and heat for 1 minute, stopping to stir halfway through. Set mixture aside to cool
  3. Stir the dry ingredients together until well mixed, then pour into the (cooled) wet mixture. Add the egg and mix well.
  4. Pour into your lined heatproof bowl, cover with cling film and poke a small hole in the top. Microwave on full power for five minutes until a sharp knife comes out clean.

Turn out onto a plate. Enjoy hot or cold, store in an airtight container.