Preheat oven to 180ºC Grease a ovenproof dish.
In a bowl: Dates & 1cup water & 1tsp coffee: boil&simmer: 5-10mins(absorbed) remove from the heat. add 1tsp bicarbonate of soda Leave to cool--mash.
Beat 90g butter & 3/4 cup caster sugar: pale & fluffy beat in 2 eggs : one at a time add 1 tsp vanilla essence Sift in 1 cup self raising flour Fold in the dates mixture ( & 2tbsp yoghurt or milk)
Pour into the dish Bake 180c: 30 minutes-1 hour.
Toffee sauce: in a sauce pan ( low heat) 60-100g butter &1/2 cup brown sugar &1/2 cup cream : few minutes until dissolved & thickened & darkened in colour.