4ounces(g)whole dates, noor or medjool dates, pitted
1/2cup(ml)boiling water
2Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons(g)butter, at room temperature
1/3cup(g)light brown sugar, firmly packed
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1largeegg, at room temperature
1TablespoonFancy molasses
3/4cup + 1 Tablespoon(g)all-purpose flour
3/4teaspoonbaking powder
1/4teaspoonground ginger
1/4teaspoonground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoonground nutmeg
1/8teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonbaking soda
Toffee Sauce:
1/4cup(ml)heavy whipping cream, 35% b.f.
1/4cup(g)butter
6Tablespoons(g)light brown sugar, packed
Pinchsalt
1teaspoonvanilla extract
For garnish:
chopped walnuts, optional
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Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F. (non-convection/not fan-assisted). Lightly grease 4 large ramekins or 6 smaller ramekins. Set onto a baking sheet and set aside.
Add the dates to the bowl of a food processor or blender and pour the boiling water over them. Set aside for 5 minutes while you mix up the batter.
Tip! I use a bowl for mixing and a spoon for mixing the batter, as it is a small amount of batter. You can use a bowl and an electric mixer or a stand mixer, if you like.
In a medium bowl, add the room temperature butter and brown sugar and stir together vigorously until well combined. Add the egg and mix in well. Add the molasses and vanilla and mix in.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the batter and stir together until the flour is fully incorporated.
Pulse the date mixture in a food processor, then add the baking soda and pulse briefly to combine. Add the date mixture to the pudding batter and fold in gently to combine. Don’t over-mix.
Divide the batter between the prepared ramekins, filling each ramekin about 1/2 full or just a touch more. Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes or until a tester inserted in the centre of the pudding comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Don’t overbake. *Baking time will vary depending on the exact size of your ramekins.
*If making ahead, allow the pudding to cool 10 minutes, then cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. See Recipe Notes for reheating instructions.
Toffee Sauce:
Add cream, butter, brown sugar, and salt to a saucepan or 2-cup glass measuring cup. For the saucepan, cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth, and slightly thickened, about 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. For the microwave, cook in the glass measuring cup in 30-second bursts, stirring well in between, until melted and thickened.
*If making ahead, cover the sauce and refrigerate for up to 3 days. See Recipe Notes for reheating instructions.
To serve, use a toothpick to poke holes in the warm puddings. Pour warm toffee sauce over the puddings and garnish with chopped walnuts, if desired.
Notes
Tips!I love individual serving desserts baked in ramekins, but if you prefer one large pudding, use a smaller ceramic baking dish (square or oval) in which the batter fills the dish by just about halfway or a touch more. Baking time will be extended for one large pan, probably 25-30 minutes, but be sure to check and test regularly.My festive ramekins, shown here, are on the larger side. If your ramekins are smaller, you may get up to 6 individual servings. In all cases, fill the ramekins just 1/2 full with batter or a touch more.Be careful if using ramekins with gold embellishments like the ones I used here, as they may not be microwave-safe. Opt for oven re-heating instead.
Storing, freezing and reheating instructions
If you'd like to make the puddings ahead, keep the puddings and sauce separate. Once the puddings have mostly cooled, cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate the toffee sauce separately. for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the ramekins, still covered with foil, in a 350°F oven until warmed (10-15 minutes) or microwave to warm. Reheat the toffee sauce in the microwave or a small saucepan and pour the warm toffee sauce over the warm puddings to serve.
You can freeze the baked puddings well-wrapped for up to 1 month. To reheat from frozen, microwave loosely covered with plastic wrap for about 1 minute or until thawed and warmed. You can also reheat from frozen in a 350F oven, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes.Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card for more tips, substitution suggestions and step-by-step photos that you might find helpful.