sticky date cake with toffee sauce

  • 2¼ cups (315g) chopped fresh dates
  • 1½ cups (375ml) boiling water 
  • 1½ teaspoons bicarbonate of (baking) soda 
  • 150g unsalted butter, chopped 
  • 1 cup (175g) brown sugar 
  • 3 eggs 
  • 1½ cups (225g) self-raising (self-rising) flour, sifted

toffee sauce

  • 150g unsalted butter, chopped 
  • 1 cup (250ml) single (pouring) cream 
  • 1½ cups (265g) brown sugar
  1. Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Place the dates, water and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes. Place the date mixture, butter and sugar in a food processor and process until well combined. Add the eggs and flour and process until just combined. 
  2. Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 20cm-square tin lined with non-stick baking paper and bake for 60–70 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Allow to cool in tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. 
  3. To make the toffee sauce, place the butter, cream and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil and cook for 8–10 minutes or until thickened slightly. Serve with the sticky date cake warm or at room temperature. Serves 6–8.
RATE THIS RECIPE:
Reader ratings (0)
Joanna Jones

WOW. Used this recipe as I could not find the one I usually use, this is now my favourite.  Turned out perfect, light & fluffy with a crunchy top. Ate it warm with a bit of butter - delicious!!!

Christina Leong

Was easy to follow & turned out perfectly. Will be using the recipe again!

Justin Lambert

First attempt at this one.  Cake tin was a little small so now have two. Looks and smells awesome, just making the toffee sauce!  Great, easy recipe.  I used dark brown sugar for extra kick!

Jay Mitra

Came out first go looking exactly as the photo, result! Thank you, I can’t wait to see what the tribe thinks

Miriam Ellerbeck

Utterly delicious Donna.

Maddee Gardiner

This sauce never disappoints. I have tried it with white sugar as in other recipes and it never works properly. I’m up making a cake for a friend and the caramel sauce didn’t work so I have come back to this. It really never fails and you don’t have to be exact. Donna and team thank you

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

SIGN UP WITH YOUR EMAIL BELOW:

REGISTER

join the club

Become a member of donnahay.com and receive VIP offers, behind-the-scenes previews and exclusive content direct to your inbox