A timeless classic with a modern twist — microwave magic meets rich tradition. This sticky date pudding, draped in a luscious caramel sauce, will make you wonder why you'd ever use an oven again.
🍰 Yield:
Serves 6–8 (or one determined pudding enthusiast with no regrets)
⏱️ Time:
25 min prep | 10–13 min cook | 5 min rest (plus 2 min admiring your handiwork)
🧂 Main Pudding Ingredients:
- 1 medium carrot, cut into long quarters
- 1 medium green apple, cut into quarters
- 200g pitted dates, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 100g butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup castor sugar
- 2 eggs (70g each)
- 1¼ cups self-raising flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Icing sugar & thickened cream, for serving
🍯 Caramel Sauce:
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 40g butter
- 150ml cream
- 1 tbsp orange liqueur
📝 Method:
Lightly grease a 2L microwave-safe glass bowl. Set it aside.
Shred carrot and apple using a rotary slicer or by hand.
Place dates and boiling water in a saucepan. Bring to boil, stir in bicarbonate soda, and let it foam.
Cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Fold in the cooled date mixture, carrot, apple, flour, and cinnamon. Mix gently until just combined.
Pour into prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on Medium High (650W) for 10–13 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
🍮 Caramel Sauce Method:
Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High for 5 minutes, stirring every minute until glossy and smooth.
🍴 To Serve:
Dust pudding with icing sugar. Pour over warm caramel sauce. Add thickened cream and enjoy.
📻 Microwave Tips:
- Tested in 800W microwave — adjust timing as needed.
- Don't overcook; the pudding sets further while resting.
- Let stand 5 minutes after cooking for best texture.