Sticky Date Pudding (Microwave)

Ingredients

Caramel sauce

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 300 ml cream
• 150 g butter

Pudding

• 250 g dates, pitted and chopped
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 100 g butter
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 orange, zest of, grated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 large eggs (60 grams each)
• 1 cup self-raising flour

Directions

1. 1

   Caramel sauce: Put all ingredient in a 2-litre ovenproof glass jug. Cook, uncovered in the microwave for 5-6 minutes on 850 watts/high/100%, stirring 2-3 times during cooking. Remove from microwave and set aside.

2. 2

   Grease a 22 cm ring container with high sides.

3. 3

   Combine dates and water in a heatproof dish. cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes on 850 watts/high/100%.

4. 4

   Quickly stir in bicarb of soda (mixture will froth, so don't worry).

5. 5

   Cream together butter, sugar and orange rind. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time.

6. 6

   Fold in flour and date mixture. Spread in prepared container. Place on a rack and cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes on 650 watts/medium high/70%.

7. 7

   Gently pour two-thirds of the caramel sauce over the half-cooked pudding. Put it back into microwave oven and cook, uncovered, for a further 5-6 minutes on 500 watts/medium/50%. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before turning out.

8. 8

   Serve with remaining sauce.