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1
Preheat oven to 375u00b0F and butter a 1 1/2-quart capacity baking dish (I used a combo of Pam and butter and it worked fine).
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2
Combine the sugar with the flour in a large bowl.
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3
Pour the milk into a measuring cup, beat in the egg, vanilla and melted buter and then pour this mixture over the sugar and flour, stirring--just with a wooden spoon--to combine.
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4
Fold in the dates then scrape into the prepared baking dish.
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5
*Don't worry if it doesn't look very full: it will do by the time it cooks*.
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6
Sprinkle the sugar for the sauce over the batter and dot with the butter.
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7
Pour the boiling water over the whole thing (yes, really!) and transfer to the oven.
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8
Set timer for 45 minutes, though you might find the dessert needs 5 or 10 minutes more (this was a frustrating part, for whatever reason I ended up having to put it back in for almost 20 minutes-- but then it was very cake-like, Remember that it thickens up when you take it out).
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9
The top of the dessert should be springy and spongy when it's cooked; underneath, the butter, dark brown sugar and boiling water will have turned into a rich, sticky sauce.
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10
Serve with vanilla ice cream, creme fraiche or heavy or light cream as you wish.
