Ingredients:
- 175g pitted dates, chopped
- 250ml boiling water
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 75g butter, softened
- 150g soft dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 175g self-raising flour
- Sauce: 100g butter, 150g soft dark brown sugar, 200ml double cream
Instructions:
- Heat the oven to 180C / 160C fan and grease a 20cm square tin.
- Pour the boiling water over the dates, stir in the bicarbonate of soda and leave for 10 minutes.
- Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time.
- Fold in the flour, then the dates and their liquid.
- Pour into the tin and bake for 30-35 minutes until risen and firm.
- For the sauce, melt the butter and sugar together, stir in the cream and bubble for 3 minutes.
- Cut the pudding into squares and serve drenched in the warm sauce.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or custard.