Foodie Friday – Sticky Toffee Pudding

Another British classic for you today – Sticky Toffee Pudding.  Its origins are typically obscure.  But there is agreement on what constitutes a traditional sticky toffee pudding – sponge cake, chopped dates and a toffee sauce.

 

Here is a traditional recipe (thanks, Food Network)

 

Ingredients

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup pitted dates

1 1/4 cups boiling water

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

Toffee Sauce:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-inch round or square baking dish. Sift the flour and baking powder onto a sheet of waxed paper. Chop the dates fine. Place in a small bowl and add the boiling water and baking soda; set aside. In a bowl of electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add the date mixture to the batter and fold until blended with a rubber spatula. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake until pudding is set and firm on top, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven to a wire rack. 
2. Toffee Sauce: Combine the butter, heavy cream and brown sugar in a small heavy saucepan; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil gently over medium low heat until mixture is thickened, about 8 minutes. Preheat broiler. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the sauce over the pudding. Spread evenly on top. Place pudding under the broiler until the topping is bubbly, about 1 minute. Serve immediately spooned into dessert bowls. Drizzle with toffee sauce and top with a spoonful of whipped cream.