SYL Company

Method
STEP 1
Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3 1/2 and butter and line the base of a 23cm square cake tin. In a bowl, cover the dates and bicarb with boiling water and leave to sit for 10 mins to soften, then drain and blitz to a rough paste in a food processor.

STEP 2
Using an electric hand whisk or tabletop mixer, cream the butter with the sugar until golden and fluffy, then gradually beat in the eggs. Add the date paste, flour, treacle, ginger, stem ginger, syrup, parsnips and a pinch of salt. Mix to combine, and pour into the tin. Bake for 30 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with only a few crumbs attached.

STEP 3
Meanwhile, make the toffee sauce. Put the butter, sugar and cream in a saucepan with 1 tsp flaky sea salt over a gentle heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, the butter has melted and the sauce has thickened and is toffee coloured. Remove the cake from the tin and slice. Serve with the sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Method
STEP 1
Line a 20cm flan tin with baking parchment. Put the biscuits in a strong food bag and bash with a rolling pin to finely crush them. Tip into a bowl and mix in the melted butter. Press over the base of the tin. Chill for about 30 mins until it feels firm. Slice or halve the strawberries, depending on their size.

STEP 2
Remove the biscuit base from the flan tin and slide onto a flat serving plate. Put 2 tbsp of the cream in a small bowl with the toffees, then whip the rest until it just holds its shape in soft folds. Fold in the yogurt, then spoon over the biscuit base and cover with strawberries.

STEP 3
Melt the toffees and cream together in the microwave on Medium for 30 secs-1 min, then stir until it forms a sauce. Drizzle over the tart filling.

STEP 4
The tart can be chilled for a couple of hours at this stage. Dust with icing sugar before serving.