
Ingredients
- 150g pitted dates
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 195g unsalted butter (120g melted, 75g for the sauce), plus extra for greasing
- 200g light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 60ml whole milk
- 240g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 75g dark brown sugar
- 150g double cream, plus extra to serve (optional)
- 20g tamarind paste
Method
Step 1
Put the dates and bicarb in a pan with 300ml water; simmer for 10-15 mins until very soft. Cool, then blend to a thick paste.Step 2
Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5. Put the 120g melted butter in a large bowl and whisk in the light brown sugar, eggs, milk and blended dates. Sift in the flour and ½ tsp fine sea salt; mix until just combined. Pour into a lightly greased baking dish about 23 cm x 33 cm; bake for 40 mins or until risen and a knife poked into the middle comes out clean.Step 3
Put the 75g unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, double cream, tamarind paste and remaining ½ tsp fine sea salt in a pan; bring to the boil. Cook for 2-3 mins, until glossy and thick. Cool a little, then adjust to taste with a pinch more salt or tamarind if needed.Step 4
Prick the cooked pudding a few times with a fork; pour over about a third of the warm sauce and spread out with a spoon. Serve warm with the remaining sauce in a jug, and a drizzle of cream, if liked. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.