Sticky Toffee Pudding

• 225g/8oz fresh dates, stoned
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 85g/3oz unsalted softened butter
• 170g/6oz caster sugar (granulated sugar)
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 170g/6oz self-raising flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mixed spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons Ovaltine
• 2 tablespoons natural yogurt
• 115g/4oz unsalted butter
• 115g/4oz light muscovado sugar
• 140ml/5fl oz double cream (heavy cream)

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C/350 degrees F/gas Put the dates in a bowl with the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and cover with 200ml/7fl oz of boiling water.
2. Leave to stand for a couple of minutes to soften, then drain.
3. Whizz the dates in a food processor until you have a puree.
4. Meanwhile, cream your butter and sugar until pale using a wooden spoon, and add the eggs, flour, mixed spice, cinnamon and Ovaltine.
5. Mix together well, then fold in the yogurt and your pureed dates.
6. Pour into a buttered, ovenproof dish and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
7. While the pudding is cooking, make the toffee sauce by putting the butter, sugar and cream in a pan over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce has thickened and darkened in colour.
8. To serve, spoon out the pudding at the table and pour over the toffee sauce.

fresh dates, bicarbonate of soda, butter, caster sugar, eggs, flour, ground mixed spice, ground cinnamon, ovaltine, natural yogurt, butter, sugar, cream

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/sticky-toffee-pudding (may not work)