Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
  2. Mix the dates and baking soda in a bowl.
  3. Pour boiling water on top and leave until needed.
  4. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, beat well after each addition.
  5. Fold in the sifted flour, stir in the date mixture, and pour into a greased 18cm or 7" square or round cake tin.
  6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
  7. For the sauce: Combine sugar, cream, vanilla essence and butter in a saucepan, bring to the boil, stirring, and simmer for five minutes.
  8. Set aside until ready to serve.
  9. Cut pudding into squares and place each square in the centre of a warm dinner plate.
  10. Pour hot toffee sauce (reheat if neccesary) over each square and serve with ice cream.