Sticky Date Pudding (Microwave) - cooking recipe

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

Preparation

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.
Grease a 22 cm ring container with high sides.
Combine dates and water in a heatproof dish. cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes on 850 watts/high/100%.
Quickly stir in bicarb of soda (mixture will froth, so don't worry).
Cream together butter, sugar and orange rind. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time.
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%.
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.
Serve with remaining sauce.