Sticky Date Pudding

Is there anything as delicious as a warm sticky date pudding with caramel sauce, double cream, toasted walnuts, fresh strawberry and coulis? well there  probably is, but  it's certainly at the top of the list for me!

INGREDIENTS

• 250g pitted dates, chopped
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 125g butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 whole vanilla bean (split and seeded) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large free range 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

• Step 1
  Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line the base of a 7cm deep, 22cm (base) cake pan.
• Step 2
  Place dates and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Pour over boiling water. Allow to stand for 20 minutes.... then blitz with a stick blender.
• Step 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.
• Step 4
  Spoon mixture into prepared cake pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. ...allow to sit for 30 min
• Step 5
  To make the  sauce, combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3 minutes.
• Step 6
  Cut pudding into squares or rounds and serve with sauce, toasted walnuts and your choice of berry garnish.