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Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
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Mix the dates and baking soda in a bowl.
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Pour boiling water on top and leave until needed.
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Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, beat well after each addition.
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Fold in the sifted flour, stir in the date mixture, and pour into a greased 18cm or 7" square or round cake tin.
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Bake for 30-40 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
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For the sauce: Combine sugar, cream, vanilla essence and butter in a saucepan, bring to the boil, stirring, and simmer for five minutes.
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Set aside until ready to serve.
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Cut pudding into squares and place each square in the centre of a warm dinner plate.
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Pour hot toffee sauce (reheat if neccesary) over each square and serve with ice cream.