INGRIDIENTS

 

  • 125 g (4oz) butter, softened, plus extra to grease
  • 250 g (9oz) self-rising flour, plus extra to dust
  • 200 g (7oz) dates, stoned and finely chopped
  • 250 ml (9fl oz) hot tea, freshly brewed
  • 200 g (7oz) light brown muscovado sugar
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup
  • 3 medium eggs
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

For Icing

  • 100 ml (3½fl oz) double cream
  • 75 g (3oz) light brown muscovado sugar
  • 25 g (1oz) butter
  • 1 tbsp golden syrup
  • Fudge chunks, optional, to decorate

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) mark 4. Grease a deep round 20.5cm (8in) cake tin and dust with flour (tap out excess). Put dates into a bowl, pour over hot tea and soak for 10min.
  • Put butter and sugar into a large bowl and beat together using a handheld electric whisk until light and fluffy, about 5min. Whisk in the golden syrup, followed by eggs, soda, flour and date mixture (it may look a little curdled, but don't worry). Pour mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 55min or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool completely in the tin.
  • Meanwhile, make the toffee icing. Put all ingredients except the fudge chunks into a pan. Heat gently until melted and smooth, then turn up heat slightly and simmer gently for 7min until thickened. Pour into a bowl, lay a piece of baking parchment on the surface to stop a skin forming and leave to cool completely.
  • Remove cooled cake from tin and transfer to a cake plate or stand. Spread icing over top of cake, scatter over fudge chunks, if using, and serve in slices.

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