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Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky Toffee Pudding is a beloved British dessert known for its moist, spongy texture, deep caramel flavor, and rich toffee sauce. This version takes it up a notch, with a soft, velvety cake soaked in a decadent toffee sauce that’s sticky, sweet, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert is sure to impress your guests or satisfy your sweet tooth!
Ingredients:
For the Pudding Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) pitted dates, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Toffee Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, for a salted toffee version)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dates:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan (or an 8×8-inch square pan) with parchment paper.
- Place the chopped dates in a bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Add baking soda and stir. Let the dates soak for 10 minutes. This will soften the dates and create a luscious, moist base for the cake.
2. Make the Pudding Cake:
- Using an electric mixer or a hand whisk, cream together the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Once the dates have soaked, mash them slightly with a fork or potato masher to create a chunky puree. Add this mixture, including the soaking liquid, to the batter and mix until fully combined. The batter will be thick and sticky.
3. Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly in the pan while you prepare the toffee sauce.
4. Make the Toffee Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the heavy cream and continue to simmer for another 3-4 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt (if using).
5. Assemble the Sticky Toffee Pudding:
- Once the cake is done, use a skewer or toothpick to poke holes all over the cake. This will allow the toffee sauce to soak in and make the pudding extra moist and flavorful.
- Pour about half of the toffee sauce over the cake while it’s still warm, letting it soak in.
6. Serve:
- Cut the sticky toffee pudding into squares or slices and serve warm, drizzled with the remaining toffee sauce.
- For an extra indulgent touch, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a little more heavy cream.
Tips and Variations:
- Make Ahead: Sticky toffee pudding is even better the next day! You can make the cake and toffee sauce ahead of time and reheat them when ready to serve.
- Date-Free Version: If you’re not a fan of dates, you can substitute them with raisins or dried apricots, though it will change the flavor slightly.
- Salted Toffee Version: Add a pinch of flaked sea salt to the toffee sauce for a sweet-salty twist that really enhances the flavors.
- Spices: Feel free to experiment with spices like nutmeg or cloves for a different flavor profile.
- For a Lighter Version: You can use applesauce instead of butter and reduce the sugar for a lighter version, though this will change the texture of the cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Rich & Moist: The dates and toffee sauce make this pudding incredibly moist and full of deep, caramelized flavor.
- Easy to Make: Despite its luxurious taste, this dessert is surprisingly easy to prepare, with simple ingredients and minimal steps.
- Indulgent: The combination of the soft cake and rich toffee sauce makes this a decadent dessert perfect for any special occasion or a cozy evening treat.
Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding is a dessert you’ll return to time and again—whether you’re serving it for a holiday, dinner party, or a simple weeknight treat. The sticky caramel sauce and warm, moist cake will leave everyone craving more!
