Add the dates and the cold tea to a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes. Set aside.
Cream together the butter, sugar nd vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition.
Add the molasses and golden syrup and beat well.
Sieve the flour and baking powder together.
Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture one third at a time, mixing until completely smooth between additions.
Puree the date mixture in a food processor then add in the baking soda.
Pour the date and tea mixture into the batter and stir until smooth.
Pour the batter into 12 well greased and floured muffin tins lined with parchment cases and bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 350ºF until the center is just firm.
Serve warm with the toffee sauce.
For the toffee sauce
Bring all the ingredients to a slow rolling boil for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve over the puddings