1/2 cup brown sugar 60 g butter, chopped 2 eggs 1 cup plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 200 g fresh dates pitted and chopped 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 1/4 cups boiling water
Caramel sauce: 1/2 cup brown sugar 100 g butter chopped 1/2 cup cream
Preheat the oven to 180 c. To make the sauce, place the sugar and butter in a saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cream and stir for 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Set aside and keep warm. Place the sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat for 5 -8 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the eggs and beat well. Sift the flour and baking powder over the mixture. Place the dates in a bowl with the bicarbonate of soda, pour over the water and stand for 1 minute. Add the date mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Pour into a 20cm x 30cm slice tin lined with baking paper. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden. Slice and top with sauce.
