Sticky Date Pudding

• 200 g pitted dates, chopped
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 330 ml boiling water
• 80 g butter, softened
• 34 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 34 cups self-rising flour, sifted
• 12 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon orange rind, finely grated
• 34 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup pure cream
• 100 g butter, chopped

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C Grease and line base of a 22cm square cake pan, or a 20cm springform pan.
2. Place dates in a bowl with bicarb soda.
3. Pour boiling water over the top, and stand until slightly cooled.
4. Meanwhile beat butter and sugar until light and creamy.
5. Beat in eggs one by one, beating well after each addition and add vanilla.
6. Fold in flour, cinnamon, and orange rind alternately with date mixture until well combined.
7. Pour into pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
8. For Caramel Sauce:.
9. Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer until thickened slightly.
10. Spoon a little onto cake, then return to oven for 2 minutes.
11. Serve pudding with caramel sauce.

dates, bicarbonate of soda, boiling water, butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla essence, flour, cinnamon, orange rind, brown sugar, cream, butter

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sticky-date-pudding-327768 (may not work)