Sticky Toffee Pudding

Ingredients

• ●*For the cake:**
• ●1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ●1 teaspoon baking soda
• ●½ teaspoon salt
• ●½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ●1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
• ●1 cup hot water
• ●½ teaspoon baking soda (for the dates)
• ●½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ●¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
• ●2 large eggs
• ●1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ●*For the toffee sauce:**
• ●½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ●1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• ●½ cup heavy cream
• ●1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ●Pinch of salt
• ●*For serving:**
• ●Vanilla ice cream or clotted cream

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 177°C (350°F). Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Combine the chopped dates with the hot water and ½ teaspoon baking soda. Let steep for 15 minutes — the dates will soften and the water will become slightly syrupy.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Add the vanilla.
5. Add the flour mixture and beat on low until combined. Fold in the dates and their soaking liquid (they'll dissolve as the cake bakes).
6. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and the top springs back.
7. While the cake bakes, make the toffee sauce: Combine the butter, brown sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly and is glossy. Remove from heat.
8. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Poke holes all over the top with a skewer or fork — go all the way through.
9. Pour half of the warm toffee sauce over the cake. Let it soak in for a few minutes.
10. Serve warm, topped with more toffee sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous spoonful of clotted cream.
11. *Storage:** The cake keeps at room temperature, covered, for 2 days. The sauce keeps refrigerated for 2 weeks — reheat gently before using. This dessert is best eaten the day it's made, while the cake is still warm and the sauce is liquid.
12. *Seasonal note:** Medjool dates are the right choice here — they're soft, moist, and caramel-like. Other dates won't give the same result. If you have access to British-style toffee sauce or ale, this is where it makes an appearance. Otherwise, the recipe as written is exactly what you want.