With a little butter grease well 8 muffins pans

Chop dates, peel and grate ginger, add to saucepan with water bring to boil for 1 minute – just to soften the dates.

Take off the heat add the bicarb and set aside for approx. 5 minutes.

Sift flour and spice into a bowl add sugar and stir well.

Add date mixture, milk, beaten eggs and the rest of the butter - mix well.

Spoon mixture into tins and bake for 20 minutes until cooked in the centre.

While they are cooking make the sauce by joining all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Stir all the time and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved. Increase heat and simmer until sauce thickens but can still be used to pour over muffins