Description
Warm, caramel-soaked, and spoon-soft—this pudding is pure joy in dessert form. Inspired by a stormy night and saved by grandma’s scribbled recipe, it’s become my go-to for rainy days, dinner parties, and “just because” indulgences. Rich date cake meets buttery toffee sauce in a magical marriage that melts stress and wins hearts.
Ingredients
For the Pudding:
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8 oz Medjool dates, pitted & chopped
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1 cup boiling water
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⅓ cup unsalted butter
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⅔ cup light brown sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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2 tbsp molasses
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1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
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1½ tsp baking powder
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1 tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp salt
For the Toffee Sauce:
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½ cup unsalted butter
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¾ cup light brown sugar
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½ cup heavy cream
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Pinch of salt
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2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch pan.
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Soak Dates: Soak chopped dates in boiling water for 10 mins. Mash into paste.
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Make Batter: Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and molasses. Stir in date paste.
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Combine: Fold in whisked flour, baking powder, soda, and salt until just combined.
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Bake: Pour into pan. Bake 35–40 mins until toothpick comes out clean.
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Make Sauce: Simmer butter, brown sugar, cream, and salt for 5–7 mins until glossy. Off heat, stir in vanilla.
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Soak & Serve: Poke warm pudding, pour ⅔ sauce over top. Rest 10 mins. Serve warm with extra sauce, whipped cream, or ice cream.
Notes
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Pit Those Dates First: Double-check for pits—even soft Medjools can hide a surprise. One crunch can ruin the magic!
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Soak to Soften: Let dates bathe in boiling water for full 10 minutes. This creates that lush, jammy texture essential for a smooth batter.
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Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of cloud-like.
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Cream Butter & Sugar Properly: Beat until pale and fluffy—this builds air into the batter for a lighter pudding.
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Poke for Soaking: Use a skewer or fork to poke the cake before pouring on the sauce—it helps it absorb deeply and stay moist.
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Simmer the Sauce Slowly: Don’t rush it—let it bubble gently until thickened. Stir constantly to avoid sugar graininess.
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Warm Before Serving: Pudding and sauce are best hot! Reheat gently in the oven or microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35–40 mins
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 kcal per serving
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 5g