Date Nut Pudding cake with caramel sauce (Amish Country)

1 cup chopped dates      1 egg     1 cup boiling water     1 1/2 cups flour

1 teasp baking soda      pinch of salt     1/2 cup nuts     1 Tablsp butter

1 cup white sugar     1 teasp vanilla

blend well, put into a glass 9x13 pan, bake at 350 until pick inserted in the

center of the cake comes out clean.       Caramel sauce:

3 cups brown sugar      4 1/2 cups water      1 1/4 teasp salt

4 Tablsp butter      2 teasp vanilla     5 Tablsp clear gel     1 teasp maple flavor

Bring to a boil the sugar, water and salt, then thicken with the clear gel.  boil for

5 mins, then add the butter, flavor and vanilla.   Stir well, cool.

Cut cake into pieces, put some in a trifle dish, top with some of the caramel

and some whipped cream.  Repeat layers until done.  chill and serve.