Recipe

Ingredients

• 200g pitted dates (chopped)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 250ml boiling water
• 100g unsalted butter (softened)
• 150g brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 180g self-raising flour
• Pinch of salt

Toffee Sauce

• 100g unsalted butter
• 150g brown sugar
• 200ml thickened cream
• 2 tbsp Sticky Balsamic Original
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 20cm (8-inch) square baking dish.
2. Place dates and baking soda in a bowl. Pour over boiling water and let stand 10 minutes.
3. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then vanilla.
4. Fold in flour and salt. Stir in date mixture (including liquid).
5. Pour batter into prepared dish. Bake 30–35 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
6. For the sauce: Melt butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cream and Sticky Balsamic Original. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened.
7. To serve: Slice pudding, pour warm sauce generously over each portion. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Drizzle extra Sticky Balsamic Original for a gourmet finish.