Gluten-free caramel pudding with dates

Ingredients

• For the pudding:
• 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).
• For the caramel sauce:
• 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.
• For the banana ice cream (optional):
• 4 frozen bananas;
• 1/2 tsp vanilla powder or alcohol-free vanilla extract;
• 3–4 tablespoons water or unsweetened almond milk.