Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Sticky Date Pudding

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich sticky date pudding enhanced with crunchy macadamias and tart Davidson’s plum, served warm with a luscious caramel sauce. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers chopped pitted dates, boiling water, baking soda into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Australian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine 250 g chopped pitted dates with 250 ml boiling water and 1 tsp baking soda, stirring and letting sit for 15 minutes until dates soften.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 125 g softened butter and 150 g brown sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in 2 large eggs one at a time.
  3. Step 3: Fold in 180 g self-raising flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 100 g chopped macadamia nuts, and the softened date mixture along with 3 tbsp Davidson's plum puree until just combined.
  4. Step 4: Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  5. Step 5: While pudding bakes, make sauce by heating 150 ml golden syrup, 100 g dark brown sugar, and 100 ml heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm sticky date pudding drizzled generously with the plum-infused caramel sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Sticky Date Pudding take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Sticky Date Pudding?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Sticky Date Pudding?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Sticky Date Pudding for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Sticky Date Pudding?

Australian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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