Slow Cooker Sticky Date Pudding …

Slow Cooker Sticky Date Pudding 002

 

Recently I shared one of my family traditions … Pudding Day. Every year, about 6 weeks before Christmas, my family gets together to make our Christmas Puddings in the old, traditional way. We use a family recipe that has been handed down through the generations, ingredients are mixed by hand and the puddings are wrapped in calico and hung for 6 weeks before being devoured on Christmas Day.

 

Now, if you haven’t made a Christmas Pudding for this year, there’s still time and this gorgeous Slow Cooker Sticky Date Pudding is a delicious alternative to a traditional Plum Pudding. It’s so easy to make and really the only time-consuming part is chopping up the dates. The result is a beautiful, moist, delectable pudding that will have your guests screaming for more … so grab your slow cooker and let’s go!

 

Slow Cooker Sticky Date Pudding …
 
Author:
Ingredients ...
  • 2 ¼ cups fresh dates, finely chopped with seeds removed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon bicarb soda
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup self-raising flour
  • ¾ cup plain flour
  • ½ teaspoon mixed spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method ...
  1. Combine dates, water, sugar and butter in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar has dissolved. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Stir in bicarb soda and allow to cool for 10 – 15 minutes.
  3. Add vanilla extract to eggs and stir to combine.
  4. Add egg mixture and remaining sifted, dry ingredients to date mixture and stir gently to combine.
  5. Lightly grease 850ml capacity pudding steamer and spoon ½ pudding mixture into steamer and attach lid. Refrigerate remaining ½ of pudding mixture to create a second pudding.
  6. Place steamer in slow cooker and pour enough boiling water into slow cooker to come halfway up side of steamer. Place lid on slow cooker and cook on high for 3 ½ hours. This recipe will make 2 small puddings, with each pudding perfect for up to 8 - 10 people. If you would like to make a single, larger pudding, use a 2-litre steamer or larger bowl and cook for 5 hours.
  7. Remove pudding from slow cooker, remove lid from pudding steamer and allow to stand for 10 minutes before turning pudding onto a plate.
  8. Cut/slice pudding and serve with cream, custard or ice cream.

 

 

Clever Tricks, Tips and Hints …

 

  • I used fresh dates but packaged dates will work just as well.

 

  • When purchasing the dates, approximately 20 large dates will give you the 2 ¼ cups needed for this recipe.

 

  • If you don’t have a pudding steamer, use a glass bowl instead. Create a lid by covering the bowl with a double layer of aluminium foil and tie firmly with string to seal.

 

  • I made this pudding using White Wings Gluten Free flours which substitute easily … cup for cup.

Comments

  1. This recipe sounds devine and there may still be time to make it but there is NO WAY N THE WORLD I am re-entering the crazy bedlam of our local supermarket before Christmas again!!!!

    • Can’t say I blame you for that Ingrid … it’s crazy in all the shops at the moment … my secret is to get there super early … get in and get out!

  2. I love a good sticky date pudding so much!
    We’ve got all the Christmas desserts sorted, but I’ll have to remember this one come winter!

  3. i really don’t like pudding at all, but this… This I could devour! #teamIBOT