The ultimate sticky date pudding

This mouthwatering dessert is a family favourite for a good reason! Not only is it rich and delicious but it’s also super simple to whip up thanks to the easy method and budget-friendly ingredients list.

You can’t go past this perfect dessert treat on a cool winter night as it won’t just warm you up but it’ll also hit the spot and satisfy any sweet cravings you might have. Serve it up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’re good to go!

Ingredients

• 250g pitted dates, chopped
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups self-raising flour, sifted
  Sauce
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 300ml thickened cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 60g unsalted butter

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line the base of a 7cm deep, 22cm (base) cake pan. Place dates and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Pour over boiling water. Allow to stand for 20 minutes.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Using a large metal spoon, fold through date mixture and flour until well combined.
3. Spoon mixture into prepared cake pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn onto a plate.
4. For sauce, combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until sauce comes to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Pierce pudding all over with a skewer. Pour 1/2 cup of warm sauce over warm pudding. Stand for 10 minutes. Cut into wedges. Serve with remaining sauce.