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1
Grease 10-cup (2.5 L) Bundt or tube pan; dust with flour. Set aside.
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2
In saucepan, bring water, dates and baking soda to boil; let cool.
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3
In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until light; beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour with baking powder; stir into butter mixture alternately with date mixture, making 2 additions of dry ingredients and 1 of date mixture. Scrape into prepared pan. Bake in centre of 350u00b0F (180u00b0C) oven for 45 minutes.
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4
Irish Whiskey Toffee Sauce: Meanwhile, in saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in sugar until dissolved. Add cream and bring to simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in whiskey; keep warm.
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5
While still in pan and using skewer or toothpick, poke holes all over cake; pour 1/3 cup (75 mL) warm sauce evenly over top. Bake until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.
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6
Invert cake onto platter. Poke holes all over; pour 1/3 cup (75 mL) more sauce over cake. (Make-ahead: Let cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap; store in airtight container at room temperature for up 2 days. Cover remaining sauce and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat to serve.).
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7
To serve, cut into slices; drizzle with remaining warm sauce. Serves 12.
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8
Canadian Living Magazine: March 2007.