Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients:
1 cup dates, roughly chopped
300ml water
1 tspn bicarbonate of soda
60g butter
3/4 cup (187.5g) castor sugar
3 eggs
1 tspn vanilla essence
1 1/4 cup (156g) self-raising flour

Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup (250g) brown sugar
125g diced butter
1/2 cup (125ml) fresh cream
1 tspn vanilla essence

Pudding Method:
Put chopped dates and water in saucepan, bring to boil. Add bi-carb soda, lower heat, simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat, cool slightly. Cream butter and sugar in food processor, then add eggs one at a time. Pour in date mixture and vanilla. Puree slightly, then add flour, process for 30 seconds, then spoon into well greased lined steamer. Cook in covered steamer for 1 hour or until cooked.

Sauce Method:
Place all ingredients in  saucepan. Heat gently, stirring constantly until melted. Do not boil.