Sticky Toffee Pudding

Instructions

1. Make the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-in (23-cm) square cake pan or baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the dates and water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
4. Transfer the dates and their liquid to a food processor. Add the baking soda and process until completely smooth, about 1 minute.
5. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer with beaters), cream the butter and brown sugar on medium until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and date mixture and mix on low speed until evenly incorporated.
6. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix on low speed until evenly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Transfer the batter to the prepared dish and smooth into an even layer (it will look like a thin layer, but don't worry—it rises quite a bit).
7. Bake until the cake is puffed, set in the center, and a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Leave the oven on.
8. Make the sauce: While the cake bakes, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cream, vanilla, salt, whiskey (or additional cream), and orange zest (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
9. Finish the cake: Using a skewer or toothpick, poke holes all over the warm cake, about 1 inch apart, all the way down to the bottom.
10. Pour about ½ cup of the hot sauce evenly over the surface. Return the cake to the oven for 5 minutes, until the sauce bubbles and soaks in.
11. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 20 to 30 minutes. Cut the cake into squares (it can be a little crumbly when warm, so I like using a small silicone spatula—it gives you nice, clean slices). Serve warm, passing the remaining sauce at the table. Be extra generous with the sauce; it’s what makes the dessert so special, and the recipe makes plenty.