½ tsp ground ginger
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
75g/2½oz dark muscovado sugar
160g/5½oz soft brown sugar
75g/2½oz golden caster sugar
pinch ground cloves
170g/6oz medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped
½ tsp mixed spice
175g/6oz self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting the moulds
½ vanilla pod, seeds only
100²µ/3½´Ç³ú walnuts, roughly chopped
50g/1¾oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing the moulds
100²µ/3½´Ç³ú unsalted butter
120ml/4fl oz double cream
2 free-range eggs, beaten