Eve Pudding

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture. Fold in apples and dates.
• Transfer to a well-greased 8-cup pudding mold; cover. Place mold on a rack in a deep pot; add 1 in. of hot water to pot.
• Bring to a gentle boil; cover and steam for 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, adding more water as needed. Remove mold from pot; let stand for 10 minutes.
• In a small heavy saucepan, combine the eggs, sugar and butter. Heat over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and reaches 160°, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature.
• In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg mixture.
• Unmold pudding onto a serving plate; cut into wedges. Serve with sauce.