Pudding
Toffee Sauce
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or ramekins.
Add the dates to the bowl of a food processor or blender and pour boiling water on top. Set aside for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the batter: Cream together butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the molasses and vanilla and mix.
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, and then stir into the batter.
Pulse the date mixture in a food processor, then stir in baking soda. Pour date mixture into batter (no need to strain) and fold in gently to combine (don’t over-mix).
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for about 18 – 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few crumbs. Don’t overbake or cake will be dry. (For square baking pan, bake for 22-25 minutes).
Serve muffin cakes flat-side up, with warm toffee sauce on top.
Toffee Sauce: Add cream, butter, brown sugar, and salt to a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth, and slightly thickened about 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Spoon toffee sauce over cake. Store the cakes and sauce (in an airtight container) separately for up to five days in the refrigerator.
