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Sticky Toffee Pudding Tray Bake
Serves 9
30 mins prep
40 mins cook
70 mins total
This sticky toffee pudding traybake is moist, decadent, and full of nutty, toasty, caramel flavor, with hints of sea salt to balance the sweetness.
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For the date cake:
For the whipped cream:
For the toffee sauce:
Make the date cake:
Position one baking rack in the bottom third of the oven and one in the top third of the oven, then preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C.
Grease an 8-inch (20cm) x 8-inch (20cm) square cake pan with oil and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Vegetable oil or nonstick cooking sprayMake the date puree: In a saucepan, add dates and water, and bring to a boil, then turn the heat off. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. Blend date-water mixture to a smooth paste and set aside to cool slightly so that the puree isn't hot enough to curdle the eggs.
1 ⅓ ounces pitted Medjool dates39 ⅓ ml waterMix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and whisk until combined.
42 grams all-purpose flour¼ teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon baking soda⅕ teaspoon kosher saltMix wet ingredients: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and brown sugar at medium speed until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add in the egg and vanilla and beat until fully incorporated and thick and ribbony (it may appear curdled; that's fine).
Reduce speed to medium-low, and slowly add in the date puree and beat until combined.
12 ½ grams unsalted butter32 grams dark brown sugar¼ large egg¼ teaspoon vanilla extractFinish the batter: Reduce the speed to low, and slowly add in the dry ingredients. Batter will be thick, like buttercream frosting. Do not overmix.
Bake the cake: Pour into the cake pan and bake on the bottom-third rack for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. Make the whipped cream and toffee sauce while the cake bakes (see below for instructions).
Remove cake from the oven and immediately prick all over with a fork. Place on a wire rack to cool slightly until warm, but not hot.
Make the whipped cream:
Wipe the bowl of the stand mixer clean, and add cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using the whip attachment, whip at medium speed until mixture just begins to thicken (about 1 - 2 minutes). This prevents the cream from spraying everywhere.
Note: Whipped cream whips better at colder temperatures. To achieve this, rinse the stand mixer bowl with very cold water and dry it before whipping.
3 ⅗ grams powdered sugar¼ teaspoon vanilla extract55 ⅗ ml heavy creamTaste and adjust powdered sugar if needed. Then, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until stiff peaks form. Keep chilled in the fridge, covered, until ready to serve.
Prepare the toffee sauce and finish the cake:
In a small saucepan over low heat, add butter and whisk in brown sugar. Increase heat to medium, whisking frequently until butter melts.
Once the mixture starts to bubble, add heavy cream, kosher salt, and vanilla extract. Let sauce bubble and simmer for 3 minutes until thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
25 ⅕ grams unsalted butter32 grams dark brown sugar26 ⅔ ml heavy cream⅕ tsp kosher salt⅕ teaspoon vanilla extractPinch of flaky sea salt for toppingTurn the broiler on to 'HI'. Pour 3/4 cup of the toffee sauce on top of the cake; reserve the remaining toffee sauce for pouring on top later.
Broil on the top-third rack for anywhere from 1 - 3 minutes, until the toffee sauce begins to bubble and caramelize on top of the cake.
Remove from the oven and cool slightly, about 5 minutes. You will want to serve the cake while it's still warm, but it should be cool enough to handle.
Just before serving, re-warm the reserved toffee sauce. Cut the cake in individual slices, then transfer to individual dessert plates and pour additional toffee sauce and flaky salt on top, if desired.
Serve with whipped cream on the side (if you dollop with whipped cream on top, the warm cake may cause the cream to melt).