Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds to dessert heaven! This Sticky Date Pudding Cake is not just a recipe – it's a decadent experience that combines the rich, caramel-like sweetness of dates with a moist, tender cake that practically begs to be devoured. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a luxurious homemade dessert, this British classic is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: British
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 200g pitted dates
- 250ml water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 100g unsalted butter
- 150g brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 20cm square baking pan and line with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted dates and water. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Stir in the baking soda and let sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated.
- Mash the softened dates into a rough puree and add to the butter mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Sift together the flour and baking powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the caramel sauce by combining 200g brown sugar, 250ml heavy cream, and 100g butter in a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Once the cake is done, remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Poke holes across the top of the warm cake using a skewer. Pour half the caramel sauce over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Serve warm, drizzled with additional caramel sauce and optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream.
Tips
- Date Preparation is Key: Ensure your dates are freshly pitted and softened properly. The 10-minute soaking with baking soda helps create a smooth, rich texture.
- Don't Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, fold gently to keep the cake light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake.
- Temperature Matters: Use room temperature eggs and butter for better incorporation and a smoother batter.
- Sauce Perfection: Watch your caramel sauce carefully while cooking – it should be smooth and glossy, but not burnt.
- Serving Suggestion: For an extra touch of indulgence, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Storage Tip: This cake keeps well for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Warm slightly before serving to restore its magical, gooey texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 75mg
