INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Put the dates in a bowl and cover with 1 c boiling wanter to soften, at least 5 minutes.
Heat oven to 350 and grease a deep 9x13 inch baking dish

Step 2

Combine the 3 T butter, baking soda, pinch of salt, Demerara sugar, 1/3 c plus 1 t dark brown sugar, eggs, flour and vanilla extract in a food processor and pulse until just combined.  Add the dates and 1/2 c of the water to the mixture; pulse until nearly smooth (specks of the dates will be visible)

Step 3

Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes, until just firm to the touch.  When the pudding has finished baking, remove from the oven and heat the broiler.  Put the rack about 4” from the heat source

Step 4

Meanwhile, make the topping.  Melt 5T butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then slowly add 1c cream and 6T dark brown sugar and 1/8t salt, whisking continuously until the mixture bubbles gently and comes together to form a smooth mixture; turn off heat

Step 5

In another small saucepan over medium heat, make the extra sauce.  Melt 3T butter then slowly add 1 1/4 c cream and 3 T dark brown sugar and 1/8 t salt.  Repeat the process above

Step 6

Pour 2/3 of the topping over the cooked pudding and place the whole thing in the LOW broiler until it bubbles and looks sticky - 1 or 2 minutes watching carefully

Serve with additional sauce as a cool creamy topping