STICKY TOFFEE PUD

A DESSERT TO WIN OVER YOUR FAMILY! 
& NATURAL DATE SWEETNESS, INSTEAD OF REFINED SUGAR!

INGREDIENTS:
2 CUPS DATES (SOAKED IN 1 CUP OF HOT WATER)
1 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT
3 CUPS SELF RAISING FLOUR
1 TSP BAKING POWDER 
1 TSP GROUND CINNAMON OR MIXED SPICES
SMALL HANDFUL OF NUTS (WALNUTS OR PECAN)
1 TSP BICARBONATE OF SODA (IN ½ CUP WARM MILK)
2 EGGS
¾ CUP BUTTER (SOFTENED)
2 TBSP TREACLE
½ CUP SOFT BROWN SUGAR

TOFFEE SAUCE:
1/3 CUP BUTTER
¾ CUP SOFT BROWN SUGAR
1 TBSP TREACLE 
1 CUP DOUBLE CREAM

UTENSILS: 
BLENDER, CAKE TIN OR RAMEQUINS (INDIVIDUAL, OVEN- PROOF POTS), BAKING PAPER, MIXING BOWL, MEASURING CUP & SPOONS, SPATULA. 

METHOD
SOAK THE DATES IN WARM WATER
MEANWHILE, MIX THE BUTTER, EGGS, VANILLA, TREACLE AND SUGAR. 
THEN ADD THE BICARBONATE OF SODA IN WARM MILK, STIR. 
POUR THE DATES AND WATER INTO A BLENDER. WIZZ FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN ALSO ADD DATES TO THE CAKE MIX. 
FINALLY, ADD THE DRY INGREDIENTS (FLOUR, BAKING POWDER (FOR EXTRA LIGHTNESS), SPICES AND NUTS. 
GIVE A FINAL MIX BEFORE POURING INTO A LINED BAKING TRAY OR INDIVIDUAL RAMEQUINS. 
COOK AT 175 DEGREES ON FAN SETTING FOR 30MINUTES, (10 MINS FOR MINI PUDS.) 

TOFFEE SAUCE:
IN A SAUCEPAN ON MEDIUM HEAD, MELT THE BUTTER, THEN ADD THE SUGAR AND TREACLE. STIR. 
WHEN THE SUGAR HAS MELTED, ADD THE CREAM. 
DONE! 
REMOVE THE CAKE FROM THE OVEN WHEN COOKED THROUGH AND SPRINGS BACK. 

SERVING: SERVE THE CAKE/PUDDING WHEN WARM OR COLD. TOP WITH WARM TOFFEE SAUCE, A BALL OF VANILLA ICECREAM AND A SPRINKLE OF CRUSHED NUTS. 

STORAGE: THE CAKE AND SAUCE KEEP FRESH IN THE FRIDGE FOR UP TO ONE WEEK. 

NUTRITIONAL HACK:
DATES: THE ANTIOXIDANTS, MINERALS, AND VITAMINS HELP SUPPORT BRAIN, DIGESTIVE, AND HEART HEALTH AND PROTECT AGAINST SOME DISEASE.