Sticky toffee pudding

Ingredients

For the sponge

• 175g/6oz dates, chopped
• 1 rounded tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 50g/2oz salted butter
• pinch salt
• 75g/2½oz demerara sugar
• 75g/2½oz molasses sugar
• 2 free-range eggs
• 175g/6oz self-raising flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• butter, for greasing

For the sticky toffee topping

• 250ml/9fl oz double cream
• 80g/3oz butter
• 80g/3oz molasses sugar

For the extra sauce

• 300ml/10fl oz whipping cream
• 50g/2oz molasses sugar
• 50g/2oz salted butter
• double cream, to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. Pour 275ml/10fl oz boiling water into a large mixing bowl and add the dates. Stir and set aside until lukewarm. Meanwhile, measure out all the other ingredients for the sponge. Add them to the dates and water and mix together until well combined.

3. Blend the date mixture in a food processor until nearly smooth, but with a few specks of date still visible. Generously butter a baking dish on all surfaces and pour in the sponge batter. Bake for 40 minutes, or until just firm to the touch.

4. Preheat the grill to medium.

5. Meanwhile, make both the topping and the extra sauce by heating the ingredients gently in separate pans, whisking regularly, until they briefly boil. Pour the topping over the cooked pudding.

6. Place the sticky toffee pudding under a moderate grill until bubbling.

7. To serve, spoon the pudding into individual bowls and pour around the extra sauce.