Sticky Date Pudding

This pudding is classic comfort food. Individual servings keep the portion size sensible and allow you to really savour every mouthful.

Ingredients:

• cooking oil spray
• 1 1/2 cups chopped dates
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 90g (approx 1/2 cup) reduced-fat spread
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
• For the topping:
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat spread
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Method:

Step 1  Preheat oven to 180°C. Coat a 12-muffin tin with cooking oil spray.

Step 2  Place dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft. Stir in vanilla essence and baking soda. Allow to cool.

Step 3  Beat together spread and sugar until pale and creamy. Gradually add eggs. Stir in cooled date mixture. Fold in flour.

Step 4  Spoon evenly into prepared muffin tin. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until the puddings spring back when touched. Cool in tin for 5 minutes.

Step 5  To make the topping, melt the spread over a medium heat and add the sugar. Cook gently until it thickens a little. Drizzle over the warm puddings. – Healthyfoodguide