Indulge in a decadent fruit cake with rich caramel topping.

Prep Time : 0:30 | Cook Time : 0:45 | Total Time : 1:15 | Serving : 8 person.

Ingredients

• 250g pitted dates, chopped

• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 1 1/2 cups boiling water

• 125g butter, softened

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 eggs, at room temperature

• 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted

Caramel sauce

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 300ml thickened cream

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 60g butter, chopped

Method

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 7cm deep, 22cm (base) cake pan and line base with baking paper.

• Step 2

  Place dates and bicarbonate of soda in a heatproof bowl. Pour over boiling water. Allow to stand, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until dates are tender.

• Step 3

  Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Using a large metal spoon, stir in date mixture and flour. Mix until well combined.

• Step 4

  Spoon mixture into cake pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand for 10 minutes before turning onto a wire rack.

• Step 5

  Make caramel sauce: Combine sugar, cream, vanilla and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until boiling. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 minutes. Pour warm sauce over warm cake. Cut into wedges. Serve.