Winter blues.. and caramels

Nothing beats a warm delicious dessert in winter.

My friend passed on this very easy Sticky Date Pudding recipe to me last winter and I have adapted it a little since then, but have made it countless times.

The thing that sets this apart from other Sticky Date Puddings is the spice. The mix of cinnamon and cardamom really makes it special.

Spicy Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients
200g dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup (250ml water)
1 teaspoon bi-carbonate of soda
100g butter
2/3 cup (160g) caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 & 1/2 cups self-raising flour
2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon mixed spice

Caramel Sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup cream
100g butter

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180˚C and prepare cake tin.
2. Combine dates and water in saucepan and bring to boil, remove from heat
3. Stir in bi-carb soda (set aside to cool).
4. Beat butter and caster sugar until light and creamy, add eggs gradually beating thoroughly.
5. Add essence and spices.
6. Fold in flour and dates and stir until just combined.
7. Pour into tin and bake for 50 mins or until skewer comes out clean.
8. To make the sauce, combine the brown sugar, cream and butter in saucepan.
9. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 2 mins.
10. Serve pudding warm with caramel sauce and cream and/or ice cream.. yum!

*You can usually buy a packet of dates already pitted