Dates are the closest thing that nature has to sweets. With a caramel flavor and soft, sticky texture, it’s almost hard to believe that what you’re eating is actually healthy! Dates are a great alternative if you are cutting down on sugar but craving something sweet, which is why they are the key ingredient in this moreish dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1 egg, lightly whisked
- 1 ½ cups self-raising flour
- ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 60g butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 1 liter baking dish.
- Combine the dates and bicarbonate of soda in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour over the boiling water and stir well. Set aside, stirring occasionally, for around 10 minutes until the dates begin to soften.
- Add the maple syrup, oil, and vanilla extract to the dates.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and ginger in a large bowl. Add in the date mixture and egg. Stir to combine.
- Pour the batter into the prepared dish, smoothing the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly pressed.
- For the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce comes to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Pierce the pudding all over with a skewer. Pour half a cup of the warm sauce over pudding which should also be warm. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with ice cream and the remaining sauce.
