Prep: 1.  Prep the dates:

Prepare the date mixture by placing the water, treacle, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda and dates in a pan or put in a jug in the microwave

Bring to the boil and cook gently for about 3 minutes

Use a wooden spoon to mash the dates and stirring well until you have a thick paste

Pour this onto a dinner plate to cool down

2.  Prep the cake mix:

In a mixing bowl use the hand held mixer ( or a processor if you want) cream together the margarine and the caster and soft brown sugar

Beat until the mixture looks pale and fluffy

Beat in the eggs one by one giving each a 40 second mix

Stir in the sieved SR flour and when it is almost mixed in

Add the date mix and the grating of nutmeg

Stir and pour into greased cake tin (or ovenproof tea mugs for individual puds )

Cook at 180ºC Gas Mark 4 for 20 minutes

Press the top to check it is bouncy, if not return to oven for 4 mins

Remove and turn out of the tin – ease round the sides first.

Serve warm sifted with golden icing sugar