Instructions: St Theresa of Avila combined charm toughness love mysticism and practicality. She declared that God is among the saucepans and would go into ecstasy in the kitchen. This dessert is very sweet you could well cut down on the sugar. Find good sponge finger biscuits not easy but those ramrod boudoir biscuits will do.

200g sponge finger biscuits
200g caster sugar
7 egg yolks
finely grated zest of a large orange
2 tsp cinnamon or Kirsch or maraschino
200ml milk
150g blanched split almonds

Choose an ovenproof serving dish preferably rectangular into which the biscuits can be fitted in several layers.

Rub the dish with a butter paper.

Set aside 2 level tablespoons of sugar for the topping.

Beat the rest with the yolks and flavourings then add the milk.

Put a layer of biscuits into the dish then some of the custard mixture and repeat until both items are used up.

Switch on the oven to 230C (450F gas 8). Toast and chop the almonds.

Mix with the sugar you set aside.

Put the dish into the oven for 6 minutes.

Remove it and scatter the almonds and sugar over the top.

Return to the oven for 23 minutes.

Let the pudding cool.

Serve cold with black coffee and Jersey cream.

Serves 6

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