Gluten-free caramel pudding with dates

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups pitted regular dates (not Medjool), finely chopped
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, gluten-free oat milk, or applesauce
• 3/4 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour
• 1/4 cup tapioca starch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 tsp. coconut sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup Medjool dates
• 1 cup unsweetened almond or gluten-free oat milk
• 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla powder or alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 4 frozen bananas
• 1/2 tsp vanilla powder or alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 3–4 tablespoons water or unsweetened almond milk