Recipes -

160g seeded chopped dates

80ml water

1/4tsp bicarb of soda

300g self-raising flour

150g plain flour

2tsp ground ginger

½ tsp mixed spice

200g firmly packed brown sugar

2tsp grated orange rind

1egg lightly beaten

310ml milk

60ml vegetable oil

Caramel sauce

200g firmly packed brown sugar

250ml cream

40g butter

Grease 12 hole muffin pan. Combine dates and water in pan, bring to boil, remove from heat, add soda and let stand for 5 minutes.

Stir dry ingredients in large bowl, stir in date mixture and remaining ingredients.

Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Bake in moderately hot oven around 180oC for 20 minutes. Serve warm muffins with caramel sauce.

To make the caramel sauce, combine all ingredients, stir over heat without boiling, until sugar is dissolved. Simmer without stirring for about 3 minutes or until thickened slightly