2 sticks butter, cut into 8 pieces plus extra to butter pan
8 oz pitted dates, chopped
1 tsp baking soda
5 tbsp sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 tbsp baking powder
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 oz brown sugar
1 pint whipped cream, optional
STEP BY STEP:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 9 inch, high sided pan
Place dates in saucepan, cover with water and bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook 3 minutes
Add baking soda and set aside. Cream 1 stick butter, sugar and eggs, adding eggs 1 at a time
Gently fold in flour, salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Slowly stir in the baking powder and 1/4 cup of the date cooking liquid until the cake mixture resembles thick pancake batter (discard rest of liquid). Stir in dates
Bake 30-40 mins or until cooked in the center. Make the sauce by combining 1 stick of butter, 1/4 cup cream, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Bring to boil reduce to simmer, cook 3 minutes
To serve: Drizzle some of the sauce over cake as it is cooling. Serve the rest of the sauce separately and garnish with whipped cream.
