Besides the coffee, there is one sweet I miss from Melbourne. Sticky Date Pudding.
Firstly, I was impressed by Aussies shared love for dates.
Hullo, people in Amurrica (outside of our food bloggin’ walls) aren’t the fondest.
That’s just cos they haven’t tried it yet 
When I came home I made a mini-blog mission to create a sticky date recipe. A healthier one (the regular version is covered in a sinfully delicious yet artery clogging caramel sauce) and possibly a vegan one.
I’m lovin’ the vegan challenge lately!
It took me long enough to get around to it, but I did it.
It’s called pudding but its more of a “cake”. Though lots of Aussies like to pour the sauce on and stir it all up so it gets more of a pudding consistency.
After four total trials I resulted in two versions. One vegan and one not.
The final products: side by side (vegan on the left, non-vegan on the right)
I tried to get a mid drippage photo.
It looks like its sprouting an umbilical cord.
Trial one was a major FAIL.
Trial one was a major FAIL.
The non-vegan version inverted and the vegan ones were too maple-y.
I think the sauce was ON but I think there neede to be a more distinct date flavor in the base.
So I upped the brown sugar to keep that dark, richer flavor and replaced some of the maple with agave.
If I had some molasses I would have definitely played with that a bit.
I tweaked up the recipe for trial two and resulted in two subtly different and equally delicious sticky date pudding recipes.
Firstly, I decided to add 2 T of flax cos THAT’S WHAT I DO
Update: my new street name is The Flax Fiend
Update #2: I have absolutely no street cred
For some reason the dates had a hard time dissolving in the hot water this go ’round, so I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and that did the trick.
I also used some of the extra date/water/sugar mixture on top of the non-vegan version just for fun…hence the little dark spots on their centers.
Vegan Sticky Date Pudding
makes 12
- 1 c Dates
- 3/4 c Hot water
- 1/2 c Whole wheat flour
- 1/2 c Almond flour
- 1/4 c Coconut oil
- 1 Chia egg
- 1 t Baking soda
- 1 t Vanilla
- ½ c Brown sugar
- 1 T Maple
- 1 T Agave
- 2 T Flax
- pinch of salt
Non-Vegan Sticky Date Pudding
makes 12
- 1 c Dates
- 3/4 c Hot water
- ½ c Almond flour
- 1/2 c Whole wheat flour
- 1 T Maple
- 1 T Agave
- ½ c Brown Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 c Applesauce
- 1 t Baking soda
- 1 t Baking powder
- 2 t Arrowroot
- 1 t Vanilla
- 2 T Flax
- pinch of salt
- Chop dates in a food processor
- Combine dates, boiling water, and brown sugar. Stir until dissolved
- Combine remaining ingredients in a separate bowl
- Add n the date/water mixture
- Bake at 350 in muffin tins for 25 minutes or until done.
Non-Vegan Version: Before & After
Vegan Version: Before & After
I decided to just make one sauce interchangeable to be vegan or non-vegan. Just sub out the earth balance butter for real butter if you can eat dairy!
Sticky Date Sauce
- 1 c Brown sugar
- 1/2 c Water
- 2 T Earth Balance butter
- 2 t Maple
- 1 t Vanilla
- Combine brown sugar and water in a sauce pan or small pot for 15~20 mins
- Add butter, maple and vanilla
- Cook on the stove top for another 5 minutes
- Put the mixture in the fridge for a half hour or so to let in congeal
SERVING INSTRUCTIONS
- **Make sure you serve it warm. Warm cake and warm sauce. ALWAYS! This will help everything absorb and bring out the flavors.**
- Warm up the base in the microwave before you put the sauce on–>this will taste better and help it absorb the sauce.
- Poke the top with a fork before pouring the sauce on so it can seep in better.
- Heating the sauce before you pour is optional. If you don’t microwave it, the warm base should heat it up anyways.
- Top with bananas, walnuts or eat it with just the sauce!
VERDICT
VEGAN: Absorbed the caramel sauce better. Very moist. A bit more of a nuttier flavor. The favorite among taste testers
NON-VEGAN: Equally good with a more delicate flavor. This version would be complimented best by toppings.
Toppings: caramel sauce and bananas! Walnuts wold be equally as delicious
Your welcome to top with ice cream. Honestly, I love hot n cold combos but I don’t think you should mess with this one.
Vegan:
And topped with some sliced Banana.
Tags: almond flour, applesauce, banana, caramel sauce, dates, maple syrup, sticky date pudding
Both of them sound SO good!!!! I can barely wait to try them!
xoxo
Kathleen
I love the mid pour pics! Dates are delicious and I love how moist these little muffins look.
Thanks Heather!
FEED ME, PLEASE!
I could’ve used you. With all of these trials I was knocking on neighbors doors with food plenty of times!
omg i’m straight up DROOLING on my keyboard!
Don’t fry it please! After my computer troubled week I’d hate to see another one malfunction
Gahhh, I’m drooling over here! The puddings look amazing!! I’ve never had one before, but I think that should change I am definitely a date fiend and I see no way these could go wrong!
Even the mess-ups were delicious
These look absolutely HEAVENLY. Love that you made them vegan! I’ve never had them before but see them all over the place (I just came to Sydney to study abroad)!!
Omigosh you have to try it now that your in the motherland!
Are you at UNSW or Uni of Syndey?
that looks amazing!!!!
Omg it’s so sticky and gooey!! Yum, it’s making me hungry =(
It is sticky! In the best way possible though
Oh wow! This one is a must make. I love dates!
Ahh I LOVE dates so I bet I’d love this! I don’t know though because I’ve never had it I don’t think. Must change that.
I’d never had it before Australia. Right when I heard the name I knew I’d love it!
Those both sound (and loook!!!!) silly delicious! That sauce… droooling!!
Great blog; happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Thanks Mary!
I’ve been alternating eating each version