Sticky Date Pudding with Golden Goddess Sauce...

2 cups (300g) firmly packed pitted dates

1 cup water

1 teaspoon bicarbonate

1-2 teaspoons grounded Cinnamon

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

125mls light olive or coconut oil

2 Extra-large eggs, at room temperature

¼ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/3 cup wholemeal self-rising flour

30g vanilla protein powder (optional)

Golden Goddess Sauce

1 2/3 cup (230g), firmly packed pitted dates

400ml can coconut milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon white miso or pinch of Celtic salt

1.     Get started on the caramel sauce. Place dates in a bowl and add enough boiling water to completely submerge the dates. Set aside for 10 minutes.

2.     Get started on the sticky date pudding. Place dates and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat for about 2 minutes, until mixture comes to the boil and dates are begging to soften softened. Stir in bicarb-soda and add spices, to your preference. Remove from heat and use the back of a fork to mush the dates to a rough puree texture. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and chill for 10 minutes. 

3.     Meanwhile, get back to the caramel sauce. Drain dates and discard the water. Transfer soaked dates to a Nutri-bullet or high-power blender. Add coconut milk, vanilla extract and white miso or Celtic salt. Blend on high for about 1 minute or until mixture is smooth. Transfer to a serving jug, cover until ready to use.

4.     Now, back to the pudding. Pre-heat the over to 140C Fan. Grease a 6-cup square oven-proof baking dish.

5.     Remove date mixture from the fridge. Use a whisk to give the mixture a quick stir - should be ever so slightly warm, more like room temperature. Add oil, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract and whisk until well combined. Sift in flour and protein powder (if using) – adding the flour husks back into the mixture, and whisk until smooth and combined. Pour mixture into prepared dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Set aside for 5 minutes before serving chucks of pudding with the Golden Goddess Sauce and juicy, ruby strawberries.

Happy baking and cheers to your health!

❤️ Lara