Sticky Toffee Pudding

This well loved family recipe is real crowd-pleaser. The cake can be made in advance and frozen, we make it in individual cake cases for christmas and then just pop them in a warm oven or microwave to heat through before slathering in sauce. A proper low-waste winter warmer!

6oz (170g) chopped dates
1 teaspoon bicarb
2 eggs
6 oz (170g) self raising flour
2oz (55g) butter
6 oz (170g) caster sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla essence
Sauce:
7oz (200g) soft brown sugar
10oz (280ml) double cream
4½ (130g) oz butter
½ teaspoon vanilla essence

Pour ½ pint (280ml) water over dates and boil until soft.
Remove from heat, add bicarb and allow to cool.
Cream butter and sugar and add beaten eggs.
Fold in flour. Stir in dates and liquid and vanilla essence.
Pour into cake tin and bake at 180° (gas 4) for 30-40 mins.

For sauce:
Add all ingredients into saucepan and boil for 3 mins.