Sharrow Bay Icky Sticky Toffee Sponge Pudding

• 50 g 2 oz) unsalted butter
• 175 g (6

Cream the butter and sugar. Boil the dates in the water until soft and add the bicarbonate of soda. Beat the eggs into the creamed mixture, then fold in the flour, dates and liquid and the vanilla essence. Pour into a deep greased cake tin or soufflé dish, or individual pudding basins, cover loosely with foil and bake for 40 to 45 minutes at 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4, less time for smaller individ