Individual sticky date puddings

ingredients

• Individual sticky date puddings

  • 3/4 cup pitted dried dates, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 40 gram butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup self-raising flour
  • 1/4 cup plain flour
  • pure thick cream and strawberries, to serve

• Butterscotch sauce

  • 3/4 cup thickened cream
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 50 gram butter

method

• Individual sticky date puddings

  • 1

    Preheat oven to moderate, 180°C. Grease 4 holes of a Texas muffin pan.

  • 2

    In a heat-resistant bowl, combine dates and water. Stir in soda. Set aside for 10 minutes.

  • 3

    In a bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together, until light and fluffy. Add egg, beating well. Fold in sifted combined flours and date mixture.

  • 4

    Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked when tested with a skewer.

  • 5

    Meanwhile, to make butterscotch sauce, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, until thickened slightly.

  • 6

    Serve puddings warm, drizzled with sauce. Accompany with cream and strawberries.

notes

Texas muffin pans are 3/4 cup capacity. Use a regular 1/3 cup muffin pan, if preferred, and bake for 15-20 minutes. It will make about 8 puddings.