300g dates
450ml boiling water
125g butter softened
250g granulated sugar
2 eggs
1.5teaspoons vanilla essence
375g plain flour
1.5teaspoons baking powder

Directions

Grease 23cm ring tin with removable bottom. Soak the dates in boiling water for ½ hour.

Beat butter, sugar and eggs in medium bowl with electric mixer until light and creamy. Add vanilla, sifted flour, baking powder, bicarb and the hot water from the date mixture. Mix till smooth. Fold in the dates and pour into prepared tin.

Bake in moderate over for approx 45 – 50 minutes.

Sauce

Combine 125g butter with 250g dark brown sugar in saucepan and stir till melted. Add 150ml cream and bring to boil.

Pour sauce over warm cake and serve with vanilla ice-cream or whipped cream.