Preheat oven to 180. Grease a cake tin (or individual moulds or muffin tins). Mix dates and bi carb soda. Pour over water and leave to stand.
Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time beating well after each. Fold flour in gently then stir in date mixture and vanilla and pour into tin.
Bake for 30-40 mins (20 for individual serves) until cooked when tested with a skewer.
To make sauce, bring all ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins.
Options:
Add 2 mashed bananas to mixture and bake for a little longer.
Or
Add 100g chopped bittersweet chocolate before baking.