Add all the ingredients for the sauce to a pan and melt down and then add ¼ to the bottom of a baking pan and leave in the fridge
Put the dates and cover in boiling water and bicarb and leave to soak
Beat the sugar butter and slowly add the eggs then sift in the dry ingredients and fold in.. finally add in your dates and water and add to your baking dish and bake for 30 mins at 180 degrees C
For the custard add the milk and cream to a pan and bring to steam, take off the heat and add a dash to your egg yolks and caster sugar, gradually stir in the rest and then add back to a clean saucepan and bring to boil and wait for it to thicken. Then strain through a sieve and finish with your vanilla
Remove your sponge, poke holes all over and pour half of your sauce over
Plate up with more sauce and your custard and ENJOY
