Steamed Apple-Date Pudding
Steamed Apple-Date Pudding offers a moist, flavorful treat with sweet dates, tart apples, and warm spices, perfect for cozy gatherings or festive occasions.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. package pitted dates ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail or apple cider ⓘ
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened ⓘ
- 4 eggs ⓘ
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1 large cooking apple, peeled ⓘ
- 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped ⓘ
- Custard Sauce ⓘ
- Red and green candied cherries ⓘ
Instructions
- Peel and coarsely chop the cooking apple.
- Heavily grease a deep 2 1/2-quart heat-safe bowl.
- Cut foil 1 inch larger than the top of the bowl to use as a cover.
- Grease one side of the foil well and set aside.
- In a blender at medium speed, blend dates and cranberry juice cocktail until smooth; set aside.
- In a large bowl, with a mixer at low speed, beat sugar and butter until blended.
- Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and the date mixture; beat at low speed until well blended.
- Increase the speed to medium and beat for 1 minute, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Gently fold in the chopped apple and walnuts with a rubber spatula.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared bowl and cover with the greased side of the foil, tying tightly with string.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. If you don't have walnuts, pecans or almonds can also work well. To enhance the flavor, try adding a splash of vanilla extract to the batter. Make sure to blend the dates thoroughly to avoid any chunks in the pudding.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the steamed apple-date pudding warm, drizzled with a rich custard sauce. Garnish with red and green candied cherries for a festive touch. This dessert pairs beautifully with Easy Blueberry Crisp for a delightful contrast in flavors and textures, making it perfect for special occasions or holiday gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, steam the pudding again for about 20 minutes or microwave individual servings for 30-60 seconds, ensuring it's warmed through without drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Steamed Apple-Date Pudding contains roughly 186 calories, with 3g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (38% of the Daily Value), calcium (26% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. It also contributes 11g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh dates instead of pitted dates?
Yes, fresh dates can be used in this recipe, but you'll need to pit and chop them before blending. They may require a bit more blending to achieve a smooth consistency, so be sure to adjust the blending time accordingly.
How can I tell when the pudding is done cooking?
The pudding is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Steaming usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the heat level and the size of your bowl. It's important to keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it contains xanthan gum to help with binding. Adjust the baking powder as necessary, and your pudding will still be delicious and gluten-free.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).