Australian Sticky Date Pudding

This is a gooey and rich dessert. This is a great showstopper...for when you want to impress that special person

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1  teaspoon butter
• 8  ounces dates, chopped
• 2  cups water
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 cup butter, room temperature
• 5  tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3⁄4 tablespoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup heavy cream, whipped

Directions

1. Butter a 9" round or square baking pan with 1 tbls butter.
2. Place dates in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Add baking soda, Set aside.
3. In a bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter, the 5 tbls granualted sugar and the eggs, adding one at a time.
4. Mix well after each egg addition. Gently fold in flour, salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Slowly stir in baking powder and 1/2 cup of the date cooking liquid until cake mixture resembles thick pancake batter.
5. Discard remaining cooking liquid. Stir in dates.
6. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes or until cooked in center.
7. Make a sauce by combining 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream, brown sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Drizzle some of the sauce over the cake as it is cooling.
8. Serve the remainder of sauce seperately. Garnish with whipped cream.I sometimes use Cool Whip.to save fat grahams.