Description

A dense, moist date pudding drenched in a rich, salty-sweet warm caramel sauce. This easy-to-make dessert is perfect for fall, offering a comforting hug in a bowl with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups chopped Medjool dates (about 300g)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup boiling water
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup dark brown sugar (for sauce)
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt (for sauce)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
Chop dates finely and place them in a medium saucepan with baking soda and boiling water. Stir, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes to soften.
Stir the date mixture until it resembles a thick paste. Add brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Whisk vigorously until smooth.
Fold in the flour until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter will be thick and sticky.
Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is set and springy to the touch. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
While the pudding bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir constantly for 2 minutes until bubbling.
Carefully pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in salt.
Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the baked pudding.
Let the pudding sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the sauce to soak in before serving.

Notes

Use boiling water to properly soften the dates and activate the baking soda. Chop dates finely to prevent them from sinking. The pudding tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Can be made gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: British

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice with sauce
Calories: 380
Sugar: 45
Sodium: 250
Fat: 16
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 58
Fiber: 3
Protein: 4

Keywords: date pudding, sticky toffee pudding, fall dessert, caramel sauce, comfort food, easy baking, gluten-free adaptable