Sticky Date Pudding

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Roughly chop the dates and place in a bowl with baking soda. Pour over the boiling water, stir, and let stand for 10 minutes.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

4. 4

   Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.

5. 5

   Add the date mixture (including the liquid) to the batter and stir until just combined. The batter will be quite wet.

6. 6

   Pour batter into prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. 7

   While the pudding bakes, make the butterscotch sauce: Combine cream, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

8. 8

   Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Keep warm.

9. 9

   When pudding is done, poke holes all over the top with a skewer. Pour half the butterscotch sauce over the hot pudding and let it soak in for 5 minutes.

10. 10

    Cut into squares and serve warm with remaining butterscotch sauce drizzled on top.