Rich and delicious sticky date pudding - Starts at 60

Ingredients

• 250g pitted dates, chopped
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups self-raising flour, sifted Sauce
• 300ml thickened cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 60g unsalted butter