Sticky Toffee Pudding - Seasonal Recipe

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Sticky Toffee Pudding

🌍 Seasonal, Winter Difficulty: ●●●○○


Despite its feel of ancient tradition, sticky toffee pudding is thought to have been created in the 1970s in England's Lake District; its origins are debated between a Cartmel hotel and a Sharrow Bay chef, making it one of the youngest "classics" in British cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 200g (7 oz) Medjool dates, pitted, roughly chopped
  • 240ml (1 cup) boiling water
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 175g (1½ cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 85g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
  • 150g (¾ cup) dark brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp espresso powder (optional, deepens flavour)
  • 200g (1 cup) dark brown sugar
  • 180ml (¾ cup) heavy cream
  • 85g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt

Method

  1. Preheating — Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 23×33cm (9×13 in) baking pan or 8 individual dariole moulds.
  2. Pouring — Pour boiling water over dates; add baking soda (it will foam). Stand 10 minutes; mash roughly.
  3. Beating — Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla. Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Stir in date mixture.
  4. Pouring — Pour into pan(s). Bake 25–30 minutes (20 for individual) until a skewer comes out clean.
  5. Making — Make sauce: melt butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Add cream; bring to a boil; simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened. Add vanilla and salt.
  6. Piercing — Pierce hot pudding all over with a skewer; pour half the sauce over it. Rest 5 minutes. Serve with remaining warm sauce and vanilla ice cream.