Sticky Maple Pudding

Maple Sauce

• 1 cup maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich flavour)
• 1 cup 35% cream
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter

Pudding

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped coarsely
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (plus a bit more to butter the pan)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 3/4 cup maple sugar
• 2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 180° C (350° F). Butter a 33 cm x 23 cm (13 x 9 in) pan or 9 individual ramekins. Set aside.

Maple Sauce

1. In a saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients, bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside.

Pudding

1. In a saucepan, combine water, dates, butter, and baking soda and bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the maple sugar and eggs until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Use a wooden spoon to incorporate the flour mixture, alternating with the date puree.
4. Pour the dough into the butter pan and cover with the maple sauce.
5. Bake for about 50 minutes if using a pan and 35 minutes if using ramekins, until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the pudding comes out clean.
6. Remove from oven and let stand before serving.