Author: Padraic Guilfoyle

Student chefs from TU Dublin joined Maura and Dáithí in the studio.

Ingredients

Sticky Toffee Pudding

· 200g butter, room temperature

· 185g self-raising flour

· 185g dates, roughly chopped

· 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda

· 185g brown sugar

· 30g treacle

· 1 tsp nutmeg

· 1tsp mixed spice

· 2 medium eggs

· 1 tsp vanilla extract

· Pinch of salt

Butterscotch Sauce

· 70g butter

· 70g brown sugar

· 70g golden syrup

· 100ml double cream

· Pinch of sea salt

· ½ tsp vanilla extract

· A few drops of lemon juice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4. Line a baking tin with parchment paper.

2. Dice the butter and place it in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to melt, then continue to cook until it foams and turns a light golden-brown colour. Remove from the heat immediately and set aside to cool.

3. Place the chopped dates in a saucepan with 300ml water. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the dates are soft.

4. Remove from the heat and stir in the bicarbonate of soda (the mixture will foam). Set aside to cool slightly.

5. Transfer the date mixture to a mixing bowl and add the brown sugar, treacle, vanilla extract, nutmeg, mixed spice and cooled brown butter. Mix well.

6. Beat eggs and add to the mixture until fully incorporated.

7. Sieve in the flour and salt, then gently fold until a smooth dropping consistency is achieved.

8. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 35–40 minutes, until risen and firm to the touch.

Butterscotch Sauce

1. Place the butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and allow to simmer gently.

2. Remove from the heat, add a few drops of lemon juice, then whisk in the double cream.

3. Finish with sea salt and vanilla extract. Serve warm over the pudding.

Chef’s tips:

· When making brown butter, don’t use a high heat, as milk solids can burn easily

· Brown butter can be used in so many other dishes, such as madeleines and fish dishes, or even vegetables, with its rich nutty caramel flavour.

· Best served warm with some vanilla ice-cream.

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