Healthier sticky date pudding

I am a total sucker for desserts made with dates, especially this Healthier sticky date pudding. There is just something about the caramel flavor and gooey texture that dates impart on any baked good which make them dangerous to be around before dinner time.

These little puddings are particularly tempting to devour as you prepare them because you will need to pour date caramel on top – and it will get all over your hands…and you might have to lick it off your fingers. And then you’re going to want to see how it tastes with the pudding…and, well you know the rest. But it’s all part of the experience. 

PS. I also use a form of date caramel in my pecan pie, which is another top-notch date recipe of mine….

Ingredients

• 1 cup Medjool dates, soaked in 1/2 cup hot water for 20 minutes
• 1 flax egg (1 heaping tbsp milled flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, mixed and let to rest for 10 minutes) or 1 egg
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup odorless coconut oil (or butter)

Ingredients for Date Caramel

• 1 cup Medjool dates soaked in 1/2 can warm coconut cream for an hour

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175 C
2. Grease 6 muffin cups with a bit of coconut oil
3. In a blender, blitz the dates and hot water. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ginger.
5. Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and coconut oil into the cooled date mixture. Fold it into the dry ingredients until well combined, without overmixing. The batter will be thick and dough-like.
6. Fill the 6 muffin cups and put them in the oven to bake for 15 to 20 minutes, making sure they do not overcook
7. While the cakes are baking, using a high speed blender, blitz the dates and coconut cream until smooth. The texture should be like runny yogurt – if it feels to thick, add coconut cream.
8. When the cakes come out of the oven and are still warm, prick them with a fork and pour the date caramel on top of each one. Serve “plain” or with a scoop of ice cream on the side….