Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients

 * 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
 * 1 cup boiling water
 * 2 tablespoons butter
 * 1 cup brown sugar
 * 3 large eggs
 * 1½ cups self raising flour
 * 1 cup brown sugar,
 * ¾ cup cream,
 * ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
 * 2 tablespoons butter

Directions
Pour the water over dates in a saucepan and let stand. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Gently fold in the flour. Add the date mixture and pour into a lightly greased 18cm (7") square or round cake tin. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 35 minutes.

To make toffee sauce, combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring all the time. Cut pudding into squares and place each square in the centre of a warm plate. Pour hot toffee sauce over each serving and serve with cream or ice cream.

Serves6