Description
A rich and indulgent layer cake inspired by the classic British dessert, featuring moist date sponge layers, silky toffee buttercream, and a glossy homemade toffee sauce that seeps into every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 grams pitted dates, finely chopped
- 240 milliliters boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 170 grams unsalted butter, softened
- 200 grams brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 240 grams all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 240 milliliters heavy cream
- 150 grams unsalted butter (for sauce and frosting)
- 150 grams granulated sugar
- 300 grams powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Line and lightly grease three 8 inch round cake pans.
- Place chopped dates in a bowl. Pour boiling water over them and stir in baking soda. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften.
- In a large bowl, cream 170 grams softened butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. Stir in the softened date mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the toffee sauce, melt 150 grams butter with granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until dissolved. Add heavy cream and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until thickened. Let cool slightly.
- To prepare buttercream, beat a portion of the cooled toffee sauce with powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble cake by layering sponge with buttercream between each layer. Frost the outside and drizzle warm toffee sauce over the top.
- Slice and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- If toffee sauce thickens too much, gently reheat before drizzling.
- For deeper flavor, add a small pinch of salt to the toffee sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg