Ingredients
- 1/2 cup(s) dates, pitted, chopped
- 1 teaspoon(s) instant-coffee powder or granules
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
- 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
- 5 tablespoon(s) margarine or butter, softened
- 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup(s) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoon(s) heavy or whipping cream
- Whipped cream (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8" by 8" metal baking pan.
- In 1-quart saucepan, heat 3/4 cup water to boiling over high heat. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in dates, instant coffee, and baking soda; let stand 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, on waxed paper, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt until blended; set aside.
- In large bowl, with mixer at medium-high speed, beat 3 tablespoons margarine or butter with granulated sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, and beat until blended.
- With mixer at low speed, alternately add flour mixture and date mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat just until batter is evenly blended, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula (batter will be thin).
- Pour batter into pan; spread evenly. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream, and remaining 2 tablespoons margarine or butter; heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently. Boil 1 minute, stirring. Remove saucepan from heat and set aside.
- Remove pudding from oven. Turn oven control to broil. Pour brown-sugar mixture over hot pudding; spread evenly. Return pudding to oven; broil at closest position to heat source 30 seconds or until bubbly.
Cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. Serve warm, with whipped cream if you like.