FOOD + DRINK in THE KITCHEN WITH cont ...
AMRO ’ S STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING IS A CLASSIC BRITISH DESSERT THAT IS RICH , MOIST AND WONDERFULLY INDULGENT ; MADE EVEN MORE SO WITH THE ADDITION OF THE EXOTIC DATES SO BELOVED OF MY HOMELAND !
Ingredients :
For the pudding :
• 200g dates , pitted and chopped
• 250ml boiling water
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 85g unsalted butter , softened
• 170g granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 175g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
For the toffee sauce :
• 225g brown sugar
• 100g unsalted butter
• 275ml heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method :
1 . Preheat your oven to 180 ° C . Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking dish or a similar sized round cake tin . In a bowl , pour the boiling water over the chopped dates and stir in the baking soda . Leave it to sit for about 15 minutes , so the dates can soften and the mixture cools slightly .
2 . To make the pudding batter , cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy . Beat in the eggs , one at a time , adding the vanilla extract with the second egg . Fold in the flour , baking powder and salt until just combined . Add the date and water mixture , stirring until the batter is smooth . Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish , smoothing the top with a spatula .
4 . Next , make the toffee sauce by combining the brown sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat , stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves . Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract , bringing the mixture to a boil . Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes , or until the sauce thickens slightly . Once the pudding is done , poke holes all over it with a skewer or fork . Pour about a third of the toffee sauce over the hot pudding , letting it soak in .
5 . To serve , cut the pudding into squares or slices and serve with the remaining warm toffee sauce . For an extra touch of indulgence , add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream .
3 . Bake the pudding in the preheated oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean . .
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