Sticky date pudding is a classic and beloved British dessert, known for its rich, sweet, and comforting flavor. This delicious dessert is made with dates, butter, sugar, and flour, which are combined to form a thick, sticky batter that is baked until golden brown. The pudding is typically served warm and topped with caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The use of dates in this pudding makes it unique and gives it a natural sweetness. The pudding is easy to make and has a lot of variations that can suit different taste preferences, whether it’s adding spices or nuts, or even experimenting with different types of sauces and toppings. This dessert is perfect for cold winter evenings and can be enjoyed as a comforting treat after a hearty meal.
here’s a recipe for Sticky date pudding
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (180g) pitted dates
- 1 cup (250ml) boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (225g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Caramel Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch (23cm) round cake pan.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the dates, boiling water, and baking soda. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften the dates.
In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.
Use a fork or potato masher to mash the softened dates and their soaking liquid into a puree. Stir the date puree into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the pudding is baking, make the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Once melted, stir in the cream and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
Once the pudding is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto a serving plate and pour the caramel sauce over the top. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Here are a few more tips and variations for making sticky date pudding:
To make the pudding even more moist and flavorful, you can add a cup of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the batter before baking.
Instead of the caramel sauce, you can also serve the pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
To make a gluten-free version of the pudding, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
If you prefer a more traditional British pudding, you can also serve the pudding with a warm toffee sauce or a hard sauce made with butter, sugar, and brandy.
To make it even more delicious, you can add some chopped dates on top of the pudding after pouring the caramel sauce, or sprinkle some chopped nuts on top.
You can also try adding some orange zest or a tablespoon of orange juice to the batter for a citrus twist.
Sticky date pudding is a classic and comforting dessert that can be easily adapted to suit your taste. Experiment with different ingredients and toppings to find your own unique take on this delicious dish. Enjoy!
