Come Dine with Me Down Under

Deb took stickiness to new levels with her gooey, oohy pud on Come Dine With Me Down Under

Makes 6

• 200g pitted dates, chopped
• 300ml water
• ¾ tsp bicarbonate soda
• 60g soft butter, plus extra for greasing
• 150g brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 50g walnuts, chopped
• 130g self raising flour

For the walnut praline

• 200g caster sugar
• 50g chopped walnuts

For the brandy butterscotch sauce

• 50g butter
• 200ml double cream
• 200g brown sugar
• 50ml brandy

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. For the pudding, place the dates in a saucepan and add the water. Bring to the boil, simmer for 5 minutes then remove from the heat and stir in the bicarbonate of soda and leave to cool.
2. In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs, date mixture and walnuts then gently fold in the flour.
3. Pour into greased pudding moulds, filling ¾ full and place in a large roasting tray. Fill the tray with enough water to reach half way up the moulds then bake for 40-50 minutes.
4. Meanwhile heat the sugar for the praline in a heavy bottomed saucepan, swirling the pan occasionally until deep golden brown. Spread the walnuts over a baking tray lined with non-stick baking parchment and pour over the liquid caramel. Leave to cool then chop into pieces.
5. For the butterscotch sauce, in a saucepan gently heat the butter, cream and brown sugar until boiling. Gently simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally until thick. Carefully add the brandy and simmer for another 2 minutes before serving warm.

Please note this recipe is the contestant's own and has not been tested professionally. Like the Come Dine With Me contestants, you could be creating a culinary delight or dining disaster, so switch on your ovens and be bold.