Sticky Steamed Pumpkin Pudding Recipe

• 1/2 pound pitted dates
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 /2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 recipe Spirited Butterscotch Sauce and/or sweetened whipped cream, for serving

1. Using lightly oiled kitchen scissors, cut each date into 3 or 4 pieces; set aside.
2. Select a 2 1/2-quart pudding mold with a lid, ceramic souffle dish, heatproof bowl, small slow cooker crock, or other ceramic baking dish, that fits comfortably inside your crock with at least 1 inch of clearance all around to allow steam to circulate freely.
3. Generously coat the inside of the mold and lid or baking dish with the softened butter.
4. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg.
5. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until lightly beaten.
6. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
7. Stir in the dates.
8. Gradually stir in the flour mixture just until blended.
9. Scrape the batter into the prepared mold, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula.
10. If using a dish without a cover, cover the dish tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil; tie a string around the rim of the bowl to hold the foil in place.
11. Gently lower the mold into the crock.
12. Carefully add hot water until it comes up to about 2 inches high on the side of the mold.
13. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, taking care not to let the water boil off; add a bit more hot water if needed.
14. Check the pudding; it should feel set to the touch, yet slightly moist.
15. A cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean.
16. Leave the mold in the cooker, uncovered, for 10 minutes to cool slightly, then carefully remove the mold to a rack.
17. Remove the cover or foil from the mold.
18. Allow the pudding to cool for 10 minutes, then turn it upside down onto the rack to let the pudding slide out.
19. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, cut into wedges and topped with the butterscotch sauce and/or whipped cream.
20. Store leftovers, wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

dates, unsalted butter, flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, ground nutmeg, eggs, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, orange zest, vanilla, butterscotch sauce

Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/sticky-steamed-pumpkin-pudding-11805 (may not work)