STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
Prep 25 min. | Total 1 hour 10 min.
Serves: 12
A classic British dessert, allegedly made popular in the 1970s by Francis Coulson, chef at Sharrow Bay Country House in northern England. No matter its origins, this deluxe, moist cake will please every sweet tooth. Serve with Gingerbread Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Custard Sauce (see recipes). 1 1/4 cups packed pitted, chopped Medjool dates 3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 350 F, then lightly spray an 8 -in-square baking pan with oil. Boil a pot of water.
2. Combine dates and 3/4 cup water in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda and let stand for 10 minutes. Lightly mash with a fork.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
4. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined, then vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat on low until just combined. Stir in date mixture.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Place pan in a roasting pan. Pour boiling water into roasting pan to come almost halfway up the side of the cake pan. Cover roasting pan tightly with foil. Carefully transfer to oven. Bake until centre is slightly firm, 45 to 50 minutes.
6. Re-warm 3/4 cup of the caramel sauce.
7. Remove cake from water bath. Immediately poke holes all over with a skewer and pour warm caramel sauce overtop. Let stand 15 minutes. Serve with more caramel and vanilla custard.