Orange, Date And Molasses Pudding

• 1 cup dried dates, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup orange juice, warmed
• 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups self-rising flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice, such as pumpkin pie spice
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 None egg
• None None FOR THE ORANGE SYRUP
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp finely grated orange peel
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp butter

1. Grease a 2-quart pudding basin. Combine dates and orange juice in small bowl; cover. Let stand for 20 mins.
2. Melt butter and molasses in small saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Stir in sifted flour and spice. Stir in combined milk and egg, in 2 batches. Stir in date mixture.
3. Spoon into basin. Cover with pleated parchment paper and foil. Place in a steamer and place over a large saucepan of boiling water. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Steam for 1 hour, replenishing pan with boiling water as necessary to maintain water level.
4. Remove pudding from steamer. Let stand for 5 mins before turning onto a plate.
5. Meanwhile, for the orange syrup, combine all ingredients in small saucepan. Stir on medium heat until smooth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, for 2 mins. Drizzle over hot pudding.

dates, orange juice, butter, molasses, baking soda, flour, mixed spice, milk, egg, orange syrup, sugar, molasses, orange juice, butter

Taken from recipes-plus.com/api/v2.0/recipes/35923 (may not work)