Orange, Date And Molasses Pudding - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup dried dates, finely chopped
1/3 cup orange juice, warmed
4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cups self-rising flour
1 tsp mixed spice, such as pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup milk
1 None egg
None None FOR THE ORANGE SYRUP
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp molasses
1 tsp finely grated orange peel
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp butter

Preparation

Grease a 2-quart pudding basin. Combine dates and orange juice in small bowl; cover. Let stand for 20 mins.
Melt butter and molasses in small saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Stir in sifted flour and spice. Stir in combined milk and egg, in 2 batches. Stir in date mixture.
Spoon into basin. Cover with pleated parchment paper and foil. Place in a steamer and place over a large saucepan of boiling water. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Steam for 1 hour, replenishing pan with boiling water as necessary to maintain water level.
Remove pudding from steamer. Let stand for 5 mins before turning onto a plate.
Meanwhile, for the orange syrup, combine all ingredients in small saucepan. Stir on medium heat until smooth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, for 2 mins. Drizzle over hot pudding.