Cooking Time: ~2 hours to make sauce and pudding

Pudding:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour plus more for pan
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates (about 6 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 6 inch bunt pan

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 °. Butter and flour Bundt pan. Bring dates and 11/4 cups water to a boil in a medium heavy saucepan with tall sides. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda (mixture will become foamy). Set aside; let cool.
• Whisk 11/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat 1/4 cup butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl to blend (mixture will be grainy). Add 1 egg; beat to blend. Add half of flour mixture and half of date mixture; beat to blend. Repeat with remaining 1 egg, flour mixture, and date mixture. Pour batter into mold.
• Bake until a tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 40 –45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Invert pudding onto rack.
• Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.

Sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups (packed) light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon brandy (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Bring sugar, cream, and butter to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in brandy, if using, and vanilla.

Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm gently before using.