grease a 2 pint pudding basin

cream butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light anf fluffy. gradually beat in the eggs

stir in the flour and vanilla essence. then turn into the greased basin.

add an extra minute to cooking time making one of the following variations:

cook in the microwave for 4 (900 watt) minutes (or 5 mins for a 700 watt microwave)

Variations (add 1extra minute cooking time): place 45ml of golden syrup or jam the bottom of the basin before adding mixture or add 50-75g sultanas to the mixture before pouring into the basin

serve immediately with lots of custard. this sponge does not keep.