Directions

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180degC/fan170degC/gas 4. 2. Place the paper cases into a 12 hole cupcake tin. 3. In a heatproof bowl, pour 180ml boiling water over the dates and leave to soak for 20 minutes. with a fork, gently break up the dates and stir in the vanilla. 4. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl and set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar for a good 5 minutes until very light and fluffy. Add the eggs gradually, beating between each addition, slipping in 1 tbsp flour about halfway through to prevent curdling. Lastly, fold in the remaining flour and then the date mixture. 5. Spoon into the cupcake cases and bake for 15-20 minutes (the tops should spring back when pressed with a finger). Remove and leave to cool. 6. For the caramel Dissolve the sugar and 60ml water in a small, solid-based pan over a gentle heat, then increase the heat to a boil. Wait a few minutes, leaving the pan undisturbed but watching it like a hawk and, as soon as it changes to a wonderful caramel colour (like strong tea) and is thicker, remove immediately from the heat, stand well back, and add the cream. 7. Be very careful as it is searing hot and it may splatter a little. It will react, or "seize", and you may think it has gone wrong; it hasn't. Keep stirring, adding the salt and the vanilla. Leave until stone cold. 8. If using shop bought caramel sauce, such as dulce de leche simply mix it with the salt and vanilla. 9. For the buttercream Cream the butter and icing sugar for at least 5 minutes with an electric mixer and add the caramel or the dulce de leche. 10. Put the buttercream into the piping bag fitted with the star nozzle and pipe it on to the cakes, or spread it on with a palette knife.