Sticky date pudding

Pudding

• 60 g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• 200 g pitted dates
• 300 g water
• 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 170 g raw sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp natural vanilla extract
• 170 g self-raising flour

Sauce

• 250 g pouring (whipping) cream
• 200 g brown sugar
• 130 g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 tsp natural vanilla extract