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1
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350u00b0F. Spray fifteen 4-ounce aluminum cups or muffin cups with vegetable cooking spray. If using aluminum cups, place them on a baking sheet.
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2
Sift the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves together over a bowl or a piece of wax paper. Set aside.
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3
Bring the orange juice and 1/3 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the dates, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the dates are tender.
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4
Add 1 tablespoon water to the baking soda, and stir into the dates. The mixture will foam up and become dark. Remove the pot from the heat, and let the mixture cool.
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5
Combine the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, and noticeably lighter in color. Reduce the speed to low, and incorporate the eggs one at a time. Do not add an egg until the previous one is completely incorporated. Add the dry ingredients to the mixture, and beat until smooth. Add the milk, liqueur, and chocolate chips, and mix until just combined.
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6
Remove the dates from the liquid, reserving it, and chop them into small pieces. Return them to the liquid and let it sit for a few minutes, so that the chopped dates reabsorb the liquid. With a silicone spatula, stir the dates and their liquid into the batter.
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7
Pour the batter in the cups, filling them three quarters of the way.
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8
Bake for 30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the puddings comes out clean. Remove from the oven, and let the puddings cool in the cups.
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9
Combine the butter, cream, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute, then add the liqueur. Set aside until ready to use.
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10
Once the puddings are cool, use a wooden skewer to poke holes in them. Reheat the soaking liquid over low heat or in the microwave if necessary. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of soaking liquid over each pudding, gently pressing to help the pudding absorb it. Reserve the remaining liquid. Let sit for at least 1 hour. You can soak the puddings up to 1 day ahead; keep them covered and refrigerated.
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11
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350u00b0F. Pour the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk the cream on medium speed until it holds soft peaks.
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12
Warm the puddings by placing them in the oven for about 5 minutes.
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13
Keep a close eye on them: they should be just warmed through. Reheat the remaining soaking liquid over low heat or in the microwave.
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14
Unmold the puddings and place one at the center of each plate. Place a dollop of whipped cream on top of each pudding, and drizzle some of the warm soaking liquid around the plate. Serve immediately.
