Step #1 Preheat the oven to 350°F & grease an 11x7 inch baking dish.
Step #2 Boil the dates in the water for about 5 mins until soft, then add the baking soda.
Step #3 Cream the butter & sugar together until light & fluffy, then add the eggs & beat well.
Step #4 Mix in the dates, flour & vanilla, then pour this into the greased baking pan & cook in the preheated oven for about 30-40 mins, or until just firm to the touch.
Step #5 To make the sauce, simply place all the ingredients in a pan over a low heat & stir this together until mixed, then bring to the boil.
Step #6 Some of this can be poured over the pudding & finished under the broiler, or it can be kept totally separate & ladled over the pudding when served.
Enjoy the Gary Rhodes - Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe