Sticky Date Pudding

Description
Serves 6

Ingredients

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

Directions

 * 1) Pour the water over dates in a saucepan and let stand.
 * 2) Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
 * 3) Add the eggs one at a time, beating well.
 * 4) Gently fold in the flour.
 * 5) Add the date mixture and pour into a lightly greased 18cm (7") square or round cake tin.
 * 6) Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (350 °F) for 35 minutes.
 * 7) To make toffee sauce, combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring all the time.
 * 8) Cut pudding into squares and place each square in the centre of a warm plate.
 * 9) Pour hot toffee sauce over each serving and serve with cream or ice cream.