Steamed date pudding

Serves 6

When nature pushes you into a corner, go with the flow and take solace in the fact that this move to cooler weather was made for eating steamed puddings. 280g pitted dates

1 tsp instant coffee, or a double-shot espresso 400 ml water

1 tsp baking soda

70g unsalted butter

240g soft brown sugar

3 eggs, lightly beaten

225g plain flour, sifted Butterscotch sauce

150g caster sugar

300ml cream

120g unsalted butter 1 Place dates, coffee and water into a medium sized saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Leave for 2 to 3 hours minimum or overnight for dates to fully soften and absorb the liquid.

2 Heat oven to 180C. Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.

3 Gradually mix in eggs and then flour. Stir in softened dates and set mixture aside. Lightly grease 6 x 150ml steel dariole moulds (see right) with butter or canola spray and spoon batter into the moulds until 1cm from the top of each mould.

4 Place moulds into a roasting dish with sides. Add boiling water to the roasting dish until it comes 1cm up the side of the moulds. Place a small sheet of baking paper over the puddings and cover with foil being careful to firmly seal the edges. Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes or until the tops of the puddings have risen and are slightly firm and sponge-like to the touch.

5 Remove from oven, discard foil and allow to rest for 3 to 4 minutes in the moulds before turning out on to a cake cooling rack. Puddings will keep for up to 1 week in a sealed container. When ready to serve reheat each pudding for 1 minute in a microwave and serve with warmed butterscotch sauce and quality vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE

1 Place sugar and half a cup of water into a medium sized pot and bring to the boil over a high heat. Continue to boil until sugar starts to turn a golden brown.

2 Add cream, being careful to avoid the resulting steam and whisk to combine. Remove from heat, whisk in butter and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.