Sticky Date Pudding With Balsamic Caramel Sauce

• Pudding
• 185 g pitted dates
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 60 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 185 g caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 185 g self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• Caramel Sauce
• 75 g soft brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons cream
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

1. For Pudding:
2. Combine dates in a pan with 300ml water, bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat, stir in bicarb soda and set aside.
4. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well each time.
6. Fold in flour with a large metal spoon, stir in date mixture and vanilla and pour into a greased 18cm square cake tin.
7. Bake in a 160u0b0C oven for 50 minutes, or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
8. For Sauce:
9. Combine sugar and butter in a pan and stir over low heat until melted. Add cream and vinegar, bring to a boil, remove from heat and serve warm, not hot.
10. Note:
11. I have made a double batch of the pudding in a kugelhopf pan, just make sure you prepare the pan well. I then fill the centre with strawberries or cherries and serve the sauce on the side. Makes a beautiful alternative Christmas Pudding.

dates, bicarbonate of soda, unsalted butter, caster sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla essence, caramel sauce, brown sugar, unsalted butter, cream, balsamic vinegar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sticky-date-pudding-with-balsamic-caramel-sauce-332764 (may not work)