Start by soaking your chopped dates in boiling water for about 10 minutes. This softens them and makes mixing easier.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or individual ramekins to prevent sticking.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Mix until it's light and fluffy, then add the eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
Once your dates have cooled slightly, blend them along with the soaking water until smooth, and gently fold this mixture into the batter.
Incorporate the flour and baking soda. Mix until everything is just combined. Pour the batter into your prepared dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
This pudding pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream!