Sticky Date Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

250 g chopped dates
420 ml boiling water
1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
85 g butter
250 g sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 small eggs (beaten)
300 g self raising flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (sifted together)
Ingredients for toffee sauce
170 g soft butter
420 ml thickened cream
255 g soft light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Pour boiling water over chopped dates and add bi carb soda, leave to stand.
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. add 2 small eggs (beaten), mix until light and fluffy. Add self raising flour and baking powder mix.
Pour into a greased 8 inch round tin. Bake 1 hour in 180\u00b0C oven.
Remove, prick all over and pour over small amount of the hot toffee sauce.
Toffee Sauce:
Melt all ingredients together gently until sugar has dissolved. boil 3 - 5 minutes.