Put in a bowl:
150g of pitted, coarsely cut dates
½ tsp of baking soda
275ml boiling water
Leave to cool to room temperature.
While it cools add to a mixing bowl:
60g butter, softened
½ cup soft brown sugar
2 tbsp of golden syrup - honey is also good
½ tsp vanilla extract
Beat until pale then stir in:
1 slightly heaped cup of self raising flour.
While the date mixture is still cooling preheat oven to 180°C or 350ºF and lightly grease 180ml cake/ muffin tins/ ramekins.
When date mixture is room temp mix it in to the dry mixture and add to the tins.
Cook for about 25 minutes checking the top for burning and, late into cooking, skewer. If the skewer is clean then they're done. Leave to cool.
While they're cooking you can make a sauce:
Melt chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of water - a bain marie - until it's melted. Add cream till you get a consistency you like.
