Preheat oven to 180°C for 20 minutes, cover 8" square baking pan with aluminium foil and brush with melted butter.

In a bowl put finely chopped dates.

Add baking soda,then pour boiling hot milk over the chopped dates,mix it well and keep aside for about 15 minutes.

In a bowl sieve flour, baking powder together, combine it well.

In another big bowl, with a electric hand mixer,beat butter until it become creamy,add brown sugar and beat it till fluffy and light.

Add vanilla extract and combine it well.

Add eggs,one at a time,beat well after each addition.

Add dates along with milk, mix it properly.

Now add flour mixture in batches, mix it till it well combined, don't overmix.

Pour the mixture in prepared pan, level the top with spatula and bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and cool it down for 10 minutes, with the help of wooden skewer poke holes over the entire surface.

Meanwhile prepare toffee sauce,heat a small pan in medium flame,put sugar,stir it continuously.

When the sugar melt add cream, butter, vanilla extract;stir and cook it for a minute.

Pour the hot sauce over the dates pudding, sprinkle some dry fruits,serve it with icecream.