Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup liquid milk
• 1 cup pitted dates, blended or mashed
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 100 g butter at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 eggs at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup sifted flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup water
• Ghee or butter for greasing the pan
• Pistachios for garnish
• Toffee Sauce:
• 1 cup sugar
• 50 g butter
• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 1 can (170 g) clotted cream (qeemar)
• Date pudding — a distinctive and very delicious dessert recipe from our friend on Shou Tabkhin Alyoum:
• Hanadi Al-Ayas
• Click her name to access all of Hanadi’s great recipes.
• For more sweet recipes, see: Chocolate Custard (Custard with Chocolate)

Method

1. Begin by making the toffee: dissolve 1 cup sugar over low heat until it caramelizes.
2. When the sugar caramelizes, add the butter, the lukewarm milk and the clotted cream and stir until the sugar melts again (it will seize when liquids are added).
3. When the sugar has melted again, remove the toffee from the heat and let it cool.
4. In another pot, combine 1 cup milk with 1 cup mashed/blended dates and the cinnamon.
5. When the dates dissolve, remove the pot from the heat and set aside to cool.
6. In a deep bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar until creamy.
7. Add the two room-temperature eggs and the vanilla, and continue beating.
8. Add the prepared date mixture and continue beating, then add the flour with the baking powder and beat until the batter is smooth.
9. Finally, add 1/2 cup water and beat again to combine.
10. Grease a Pyrex or baking dish with ghee or butter and pour the batter in evenly.
11. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 35 minutes or until the pudding is set.
    Timers: 35 min
12. Brown the top of the date pudding if you like a golden finish.
13. Remove the pudding from the oven and immediately pour the warm toffee sauce over it while it is still hot.
14. Let it cool slightly, garnish with pistachios and serve.