Sticky Date Pudding Recipe

Serves 8
Ingredients: As this blog is all about food & recipes I thought My frist blog should be my favourite signature dessert, not only is it so easy to make but it taste so good.

Cake
250g pitted dates, chopped
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 1/2 cups boiling water
125g butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups Self-Raising Flour, sifted


Caramel sauce
1 cup brown sugar
300ml thickened cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
60g butter


Method:

1.   Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line the base of a 7cm deep, 22cm (base) cake pan.

2.   Place dates and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Pour over boiling water. Allow to stand for 20 minutes.

3.   Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Using a large metal spoon, fold through date mixture and flour until well combined.

4.   Spoon mixture into prepared cake pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn onto a plate.

5.   Make sauce Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until sauce comes to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 minutes.

6.   Pierce pudding all over with a skewer. Pour 1/2 cup of warm sauce over warm pudding. Stand for 10 minutes. Cut into wedges. I like to Serve it with freshly wipped cream and strawberries.