Sticky toffee pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is a dessert that perfectly combines tradition with comfort, being a true indulgence for any sweet tooth. Its origins are lost in gastronomic history, but it quickly became a favorite among British desserts, thanks to its moist texture and rich caramel sauce. This dessert is ideal for long winter evenings when the warmth of the oven and the inviting aroma of caramel transform the home into a welcoming place.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the cake:
- 175 grams of pitted dates, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 300 milliliters of boiling water
- 50 grams of unsalted butter
- 80 grams of fine white sugar
- 80 grams of Muscovado brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 175 grams of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- A pinch of cloves (or cinnamon)
- 75 grams of toasted nuts, chopped
- A pinch of salt

For the sauce:
- 115 grams of unsalted butter
- 75 grams of white sugar
- 40 grams of Muscovado brown sugar
- 140 milliliters of double cream
- A pinch of salt

For serving:
- Vanilla pudding or vanilla ice cream

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the sauce:
Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Then, prepare the caramel sauce. Place all the sauce ingredients – butter, white sugar, Muscovado brown sugar, cream, and salt – in a small saucepan. Put the saucepan on the stove over low heat, stirring slowly until the butter is completely melted. Then, increase the heat and let the sauce boil for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and has a velvety consistency.

2. Cool the sauce:
Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and pour about half of it into the bottom of a baking dish (I used a medium-sized Pyrex dish). Allow it to cool slightly, then place the dish in the refrigerator while you prepare the cake batter.

3. Prepare the dates:
Meanwhile, place the chopped dates in a bowl and add the boiling water and baking soda. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the dates soak for 15-20 minutes. This step is essential for achieving a moist and sticky cake.

4. Prepare the cake batter:
In a large bowl, cream the butter with the white sugar and Muscovado brown sugar until you achieve a creamy and homogeneous mixture. Gradually add the beaten eggs, one at a time, mixing carefully to avoid curdling the mixture. It’s important to incorporate the eggs slowly to maintain the airy texture of the cake.

5. Add the dry ingredients:
Once the eggs are fully incorporated, add the flour, baking powder, cloves, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are well combined.

6. Include the dates and nuts:
Add the soaked dates along with the water they soaked in, and the toasted nuts. Mix again to achieve a uniform batter. You will notice that the batter is quite liquid, but this is key to obtaining that sticky and delicious cake.

7. Bake the cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish with the caramel sauce. Place the dish in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes. The cake is done when it turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Serve:
Once the cake has cooled slightly, reheat the remaining caramel sauce and pour it generously over the slices of cake. Serve the dessert with a generous scoop of vanilla pudding or vanilla ice cream. It’s a perfect combination of warm and cold that will delight any palate!

Practical Tips
- Dates: Choose high-quality pitted dates. Medjool dates are the best due to their soft texture and intense sweetness.
- Nuts: You can experiment with different types of nuts, such as pecans or almonds, to add a personal touch to the dessert.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the caramel sauce a few days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, and when it’s time to serve, just reheat it.
- Variations: Try adding a bit of vanilla extract to the batter to enhance the flavor or, why not, a teaspoon of instant coffee for a deeper taste.

Nutritional Benefits
Sticky toffee pudding can be quite calorie-dense, but dates provide a significant amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts add healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. Clearly, this dessert is an indulgence, so enjoy it in moderation!

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use other fruits instead of dates?
Yes, you can experiment with raisins or dried figs, but the taste will be different.

2. How can I make the dessert healthier?
You can replace some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup and use whole wheat flour.

3. Can sticky toffee pudding be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze it, but make sure it is well wrapped to prevent drying out.

Now that you have all the necessary information, you are ready to get cooking! Sticky toffee pudding will surely become a favorite among your friends and family. Enjoy every bite and relish the warmth of this wonderful dessert!