Sticky Date Pudding

 For this recipe you will need:

• 60 g Vegetable Oil
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups dates chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
• 1/8 tsp vanilla essence

Caramel Sauce

• 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 3 tbsp. Butter
• 1/4 cup Cream
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Essence

Step 1. In a mixing bowl or large jug mix the chopped dates and bicarbonate soda. Pour over boiling water and allow to stand for 30 minutes.

Step 2. Preheat oven to 180 C and grease and line a square 9" cake tin.

Step 3. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla. Sift flour into the bowl and then add the date mixture, mix until well combined and you can't see anymore dry flour spots. Pour into greased cake tin.

Step 4. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 - 15 minutes.

Step 5. In a small pot add all of the caramel sauce ingredients, place over medium-low heat and stir until melted. Allow to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly until sauce is thickened.

Cut the pudding into squares and serve with warm caramel sauce. You can also serve with extra cream or ice cream.

Notes:

You can also use 60 gm softened butter in place of vegetable oil for the cake, but I think the vegetable oil makes a softer and more moist cake