Description
A recipe for a rich, moist date sponge cake topped with a decadent, velvety toffee sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 175g pitted dates, chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 225ml boiling water
- 115g unsalted butter, softened
- 115g dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 225g self-raising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- For the Sauce: 115g unsalted butter
- 115g dark brown sugar
- 225ml heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Place the chopped dates in a bowl and pour the boiling water and baking soda over them. Let this mixture stand for 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Stir the soaked date mixture (including any liquid) into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the pan from the heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla extract until smooth. Keep warm.
- Once the pudding is baked, poke holes all over the top using a skewer. Pour half of the warm toffee sauce evenly over the hot pudding. Let it soak in.
- Cut the pudding into squares and serve warm with the remaining sauce poured over each serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the sauce a day ahead and reheat it gently before serving.
- For a make-ahead option, bake the pudding, cool it completely, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven before saucing.
- Soaking the dates ensures they soften completely for a moist cake texture.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 55
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 19
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 140