Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 cups boiling water
• 90g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups self raising flour

Toffee Sauce

• 150g unsalted butter, chopped
• 250mL cream
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180C.

2. Grease and line a 24cm loaf pan.

3. Place dates and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl and pour in boiling water. Set aside, uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the dates are soft.

4. Meanwhile, use an electric mixer to beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Fold in flour. Add date mixture, including water, and mix until well combined.

6. Pour mix into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

7. Make the Sauce by adding all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes or until it has thickened slightly.

8. Serve cake drizzled with sauce.