Ingredients
- 340g seedless dates
- 2tsp of bicarbonate of soda
- 4ml of boiling water
- 120g butter
- 4 eggs
- 340g self raising flour
- 1tsp vanilla
- 340g caster sugar
Sauce
- 100g brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup double cream
- 60g butter
- 1 split vanilla bean
Method
- Preheat oven to 300F and butter and flour a 10”pan. Mix dates bicarbonate of soda and water in a small bowl set aside. In a medium sized bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy then add eggs each one at a time. beating well after each one. Fold sifted flour gently.
- Wearing gloves mix the dates and the water squeezing the dates to create a thich paste. Add the date mixture and vanilla to the flour mixture and fold gently. Pour in pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. around 45-50 minutes take the cake out and make several holes with a skewere and pour aroud 4tbsp of the caramel sauce on top of the cake. return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes. Serve with the remainder of the hot caramel sauce poured on top.
Sauce
- In a small pot melt sugar and salt on meium to high heat stirring constantly. once the sugar has melted add the butter and keep on sitrring vigorously. once the butter has melted add the cream. keep mixing until it starts to boil. take off heat.