Sticky Date Pudding (Microwave)

• Caramel sauce
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 300 ml cream
• 150 g butter
• Pudding
• 250 g dates, pitted and chopped
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 100 g butter
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 orange, zest of, grated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 large eggs (60 grams each)
• 1 cup self-raising flour

1. Caramel sauce: Put all ingredient in a 2-litre ovenproof glass jug. Cook, uncovered in the microwave for 5-6 minutes on 850 watts/high/100%, stirring 2-3 times during cooking. Remove from microwave and set aside.
2. Grease a 22 cm ring container with high sides.
3. Combine dates and water in a heatproof dish. cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes on 850 watts/high/100%.
4. Quickly stir in bicarb of soda (mixture will froth, so don't worry).
5. Cream together butter, sugar and orange rind. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time.
6. Fold in flour and date mixture. Spread in prepared container. Place on a rack and cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes on 650 watts/medium high/70%.
7. Gently pour two-thirds of the caramel sauce over the half-cooked pudding. Put it back into microwave oven and cook, uncovered, for a further 5-6 minutes on 500 watts/medium/50%. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before turning out.
8. Serve with remaining sauce.

caramel sauce, brown sugar, cream, butter, dates, hot water, bicarbonate of soda, butter, caster sugar, orange, vanilla essence, eggs, flour

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sticky-date-pudding-microwave-244198 (may not work)