Sticky Toffee Pudding

This dates back to the first lockdown when we realised the likelihood of being able to move to Quebec, Canada in August 2020 may not happen. To cut a long story short, we had to say goodbye to a new school, flights booked, rent paid and living by a lake….. thanks Covid!

Okay, so I am RUBBISH!  I think that I will be really good and post many many recipes and then I get distracted and I don’t!  This time I have been distracted by moving to Canada which may not happen because of the plague that has struck us all.  So here I am in lock down and what better thing to do that post recipes and more importantly, eat Sticky Toffee Pudding. I do honestly believe that eating such things is as good for the soul as is going for a run; I do need to do both otherwise I will be in trouble on many levels.

Here we go. My favourite pudding.

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS
Pudding
225g/8oz pitted dates
1 tea bag
Boiling water
3 eggs (if you use standard flour you only need 2 eggs)
75g/2.5oz unsalted butter
2 tbsp strong black coffee or Camp coffee
60g/2oz golden syrup
200g/70z brown sugar
225g/8oz flour (gluten free or standard)
3 tsp baking powder (gluten free or standard)
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Sauce
100g/3.5oz unsalted butter
100g/3.5oz golden syrup
100g/3.5oz brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
100ml/3.5oz cream

1.  Soak dates in boiling water with a tea bag added (so the dates are well covered). Leave to cool.
2. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/355ºF.
3. Whizz all the ingredients in a blender.
4. Pour into a square dish (20x20cm) lined with baking paper.
5. Bake for about 45 mins until springy to touch and a knife comes out clean.

Sauce
50g/3.5oz unsalted butter
100g/3.5oz golden syrup
100g/3.5oz brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
100ml/3.5oz cream

1. Put the first 3 ingredients in a pan over a low heat until melted.
2. Turn up the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3.  Add the salt – you may need a bit more – it takes the edge off the sweetness.
4.  Add cream and simmer for 5 mins.

Serve with warm sauce and cream and ice cream and it is so delicious in a deep bowl so the sauce sinks in. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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