Caramel and walnut date puddings with butterscotch sauce

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup dried pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 90 gram butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• ice cream to serve
• Butterscotch sauce
• 1 1/2 cup thickened cream
• 100 gram butter, chopped