Usha Singh

For some time now, i have been on the look out for a good eggless steamed Christmas Pudding, i have tried a few but none really turned out “WOW”, so for me it is back to the drawing board, and hopefully i find one before 2011 Christmas. I did find a recipe for date pudding on some website, and after a few adjustments and trials i came up with this eggless version. I have made it twice since, and although my sons will not try it because of they way it looks, the rest of my family have tried it and enjoyed it. I suppose we all enjoy it because we know no better-having not tasted all the decadent cakes, puddings, tarts and etc with eggs.

Date Pudding

250ml pitted and chopped dates

120ml brown sugar

25ml butter

250ml fat free milk

5ml vanilla extract or essence

250ml cake flour

3.5ml bicarbonate of soda

3.5ml baking powder

Method

1. Heat dates, sugar, butter, vanilla and milk in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is thick
2.  Remove from heat and add the sifted flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and mix thoroughly
3. Pour the mixture into a well greased heat resistant dish, and cover with foil
4. Ensure that the foil covering is secure and no water/steam can enter the dish while it is being steamed
5. Allow the pudding to steam for about an hour in a double boiler or a steaming utensil
6. Remove from heat and allow to cool before removing the foil and turning the pudding onto a wire rack to cool
7. Serve with warm custard or whipped cream

***********************************