Instructions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Line bottom with waxed paper or parchment. Grease paper. Place date pieces in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Stir in soda and set aside. Cream butter then add sugar and beat until creamed. Continue beating, adding eggs 2 at a time, mixing until fluffy, add vanilla. Mix in flour and baking powder, alternating with dates. Bake in a 325 degree oven until firm, about 40-45 minutes, cool in pan on a wire rack. Invert cake onto rack; remove paper; invert cake again. Cover and chill. Cut out triangles. Cover with sauce. Warm to order-1 minute in microwave. For sauce, add last 4 ingredients together and boil 3 minutes. Garnish with caramelized pears and dried pear chips.

Yield: 9 portions

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