Sticky Date Pudding

This pudding is sure to be a winner.

Preparation Time: 25 min + standing

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Serves: 8

Ingredients: 

Pudding

200g coarsely chopped dried dates
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 ¼ cups boiling water
60ml olive oil
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup self raising flour
¼ teaspoon mixed spice
2 eggs

Butterscotch sauce

160g butter
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (250ml) thickened cream

Method: 

1.Preheat oven to 180°c. Grease and line a 20cm cake pan with baking paper.
2.To make pudding, place dates, soda and water into a medium heatproof bowl and stand for 5-10 minutes.
3. Place date mixture, oil and sugar in a food processor and pulse 3 times.
4. Add remaining ingredients and pulse mixture until just combined. Scrape down sides of bowl if necessary. Do not over process.
5.Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Remove from oven and stand for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
6.Meanwhile, to make sauce, place all ingredients in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved and ingredients are well combined.
7. Serve warm.