Sticky Date Pudding With Balsamic Caramel Sauce

• dates (pitted)↗185 g
• bicarbonate of soda↗1 teaspoon
• unsalted butter (at room temperature)↗60 g
• caster sugar↗185 g
• large eggs2
• self-rising flour185 g
• vanilla extract↗1 teaspoon
• brown sugar↗75 g
• unsalted butter↗4 tablespoons
• cream↗4 tablespoons
• balsamic vinegar↗2 teaspoons

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   For Pudding.

2. 2

   Put 300ml water in a saucepan, add dates and bring to the boil. Remove from heat, add bicarb soda, stir and set aside.

3. 3

   Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one by one, beating well each time. Fold in flour, stir in date mixture and vanilla, and pour into a greased 18cm square cake tin.

4. 4

   Bake at 160C for 50 minutes, or until cooked when tested with a skewer.

5. 5

   For Sauce

6. 6

   Combine sugar and butter in a pan and stir over low heat until melted. Add cream and vinegar, bring to the boil, remove from heat and serve warm not hot.