Old-Fashioned Sticky Toffee Pudding is a classic British dessert that perfectly blends moist cake with a rich, buttery toffee sauce. It's the kind of dessert that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia, ideal for cozy gatherings or special occasions.
The star of this pudding is undoubtedly the dates. They add natural sweetness and moisture, making the cake incredibly tender. The boiling water softens the dates, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the batter.
Baking soda helps to tenderize the dates further and gives the pudding its rise. The unsalted butter adds richness, while granulated sugar provides the sweet foundation. Eggs bind everything together, and self-raising flour gives the cake its lightness.
Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness. For the toffee sauce, butter and light brown sugar create a caramel-like base, with heavy cream adding luxurious creaminess. A touch more vanilla extract rounds out the sauce beautifully.
Serve the pudding warm with a generous drizzle of the remaining toffee sauce on top. It's delightful with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For an adult twist, pair it with a glass of tawny port or a robust black tea.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing an 8-inch square baking dish. This ensures your pudding won't stick and will bake evenly. Grab a bowl and combine those lovely pitted dates with a cup of boiling water. Let them sit for about 5 minutes; this softens the dates, making them easier to incorporate.
Stir in the teaspoon of baking soda into your softened dates. It might fizz a bit, but that's just the magic happening! In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until they're light and fluffy. This might take a few minutes, but it's worth it for that lovely texture.
Now, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in your vanilla extract to add a warm, rich flavor. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a tender crumb.
Fold in your date mixture gently, ensuring it's well mixed. Pour this luscious batter into your prepared baking dish and pop it into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
While your pudding bakes, let's make the toffee sauce. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, then stir in the brown sugar and cream. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Once the pudding is out of the oven, pierce it all over with a skewer and pour half of your toffee sauce over the top. Return it to the oven for another 5 minutes, allowing the pudding to soak up all that delicious sauce.
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