Brenda's Sticky Date Pudding

serves around 12

275 g dried pitted dates, chopped roughly
450 ml water
1 tspn bicarb soda
100 g softened butter
275 g caster sugar
3 eggs
275 g SR flour
1 tspn vanilla extract

SAUCE
160 g brown sugar
250 ml cream
200 g butter

Preheat oven to 180. Grease a large rectangular ceramic baking dish.

Bring dates and water to boil in a small saucepan and let boil uncovered for about 5 mins. Mix in the bicarb soda and let cool.

Cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Sift in the flour. Add the date mixture and vanilla extract and mix well.

Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for approx 30 - 40 minutes or until a skewer in the centre comes out clean.

To make the sauce, put all ingredients in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil, remove from heat and cool slightly.

Carefully pour the sauce over the cooked pudding. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes. Serve with cream or vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!!!