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Preheat oven to 375°; line 8 muffin tins with baking parchment.
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In a bowl, combine flour and sugar.
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In another bowl, beat milk, eggs, vanilla, and butter until smooth and pale, about 2-3 minutes.
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Pour the batter over the flour mixture; stir with a wooden spoon.
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Fold in the dates; scrape mixture into the muffin pans, filling each about halfway.
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For the topping: sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the sugar on top of the batter in each cup.
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Add ½ tablespoon butter, then pour about 1 table water over each.
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Bake for 25 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes in the pan.
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Invert onto plates, peel off the parchment; serve immediately.