A soft, moist sponge made with sweet dates and topped with a rich, buttery toffee sauce — the ultimate British dessert.
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 200g pitted dates, chopped
- 200ml boiling water
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 150g light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 200g self raising flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the toffee sauce
- 150g unsalted butter
- 150g light brown sugar
- 300ml double cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
1. Prepare the date mixture
- Add chopped dates to a bowl.
- Pour over boiling water and stir in bicarbonate of soda.
- Leave to soften for 10 minutes.
2. Make the sponge
- Heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease a baking dish.
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Fold in flour and vanilla.
- Stir in the softened date mixture (including the liquid).
- Pour into the dish and bake 30–35 minutes until risen and springy.
3. Make the sauce
- Melt butter and sugar in a pan.
- Add cream and vanilla.
- Simmer for 3–4 minutes until glossy.