Start by gathering all your ingredients for the Sticky Apple Date Vanilla Pudding Cake. Chop the pitted dates and dice the apples into small pieces, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare an 8-inch round cake pan by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a medium bowl, pour the boiling water over the chopped dates and let them soak for 15 minutes. This process enhances the dates' natural sweetness. Once soaked, use a fork to mash them slightly, creating a sticky paste. Set this mixture aside as it will enrich the cake's overall texture and flavor.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add the eggs to the creamed mixture one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition. Finish by incorporating the vanilla extract, blending until smooth and aromatic.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This step ensures that all dry ingredients are evenly combined, preventing clumps in the batter. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently to combine, allowing the dry ingredients to absorb the moisture from the wet ingredients.

Carefully add the soaked date mixture and diced apples to the batter. Gently fold these ingredients in until everything is just combined. Be cautious not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense cake. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy, showcasing the bits of fruit throughout, indicating a perfect mix for your Sticky Apple Date Vanilla Pudding Cake.

Pour the prepared batter into your greased cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, with a golden-brown top. The delightful aroma will fill your kitchen as it bakes, signaling it's almost ready.

Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After this, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial, as letting it cool properly will ensure the cake maintains its perfect pudding-like texture and doesn't become soggy. Once cooled, slice and serve your delicious Sticky Apple Date Vanilla Pudding Cake.