Old Fashioned Date Pudding

Directions

1. 1
   For the cake:
2. 2
   Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. 3
   Place dates into a medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle the soda over the top of them, then pour on the water. Set aside until cool. Mash a bit with a potato masher.
4. 4
   In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the egg. Add in the date mixture, the flour, and the nuts. Add a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
5. 5
   Pour into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes or until deep brown and set. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into small squares.
6. 6
   For the sticky date sauce:
7. 7
   Mix together the sauce ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan. Boil gently for 5 minutes. Mash with a fork or potato masher and allow to cool to room temperature. If the sauce gets too thick to pour as it cools, simply add in a bit more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach the proper consistency.
8. 8
   To assemble:
9. 9
   In a 9x13 pan or trifle dish, layer half of the cake pieces.
10. 10
    Top with half of the whipped cream. Now lightly spoon/drizzle half of the date sauce over the top of the whipped cream. Add a layer of sliced bananas, if desired.
11. 11
    Add the remaining cake pieces, then the remaining date sauce, and then top it all with the remaining whipped cream.
12. 12
    Serve with a few more sliced bananas.
13. 13
    Alternatively, you can layer pieces of the cake, cream, date sauce, and bananas in individual glasses.
14. 14
    My idea of bliss on a spoon!