Sticky toffee Date Pudding...

This sticky toffee pudding our family favourite is full of energy, and so sweet and nutritious. 

Sticky Toffee Date Pudding
from BBC Good Food

Ingredients:

• 200g dried dates , stoned and chopped. Buy Medjool if you can
• 250ml black tea (not too strong)
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 85g unsalted butter , softened
• 175g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 175g golden caster sugar
• 2 eggs , beaten

Toffee Sauce:

• 100g light muscovado sugar
• 100g unsalted butter
• 142ml carton double cream

Method:

1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Put the dates and tea in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Cook for 3-4 minutes to soften the dates. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda.
2. Beat the butter and caster sugar together with electric beaters until pale and creamy, then beat in the egg, flour and mixed spice. Fold in the date mixture and pour into a buttered ovenproof dish or brownie tin. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is just firm to touch.
3. Meanwhile, make the sauce by putting the sugar, butter and cream in a pan over a low heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Cook until the sauce is a lovely toffee colour. Cut the pudding into squares and serve with the warm sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This sticky toffee pudding is my go-to for quick and easy entertaining ideas.If you happen to buy an excess of dates this month, this recipe surely deserve a try.