It is with a heavy heart (and much heavier steering – although that might be my imagination) that I face up to the year already having progressed so much that it is time for Cecilia (my trusty auto) to get her winter clobber back on (albeit in the form of big fat snow coping tyres). Yes. I am ignoring the fact that we are currently experiencing a bit of an Indian Summer, but Mother Nature can’t fool me, I know that when she’s stopped messing around it’s all downhill from now on (I haven’t quite forgiven her for the fact that on the very day I got them changed back to “summer” tyres it snowed for the first time in ages either – in April!!)…
This combined with the fact that the clocks go back on Sunday and I am determined to look on the bright side. I shall console myself with the fact that along with future freezing temperatures, pitch black mornings and nights that draw in seemingly before the days have really begun – it is also almost time for unparalleled cosiness, of wood fires blazing in hefty Bavarian Kachelofens, and of candlelit evenings (an addiction from our Scandinavian days!). A time for hot soups and winter boots, down coats and big fat stodgy puddings – perhaps the best winter warmers of them all! And this one is just perfect for that – true central heating for the soul!
Based on an adapted Jamie Oliver recipe that I have been using for years, but with the addition of much more cinnamon, and this time with a bar of 99% Cocoa Bitter Chocolate for the sauce (and that I had been searching for a suitable use for anyhow it having been denounced as inedible by a much-loved guest recently diagnosed with diabetes (and which was probably a slightly horrible gift anyway for someone who had definitely struggled in the past with a Haribo addiction!!)…).
For the Sponge
250g stoned dried dates;
1tsp bicarbonate of soda;
90g softened unsalted butter;
180g muscovado sugar;
2 large eggs;
180g self-raising flour;
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon;
2 tablespoons natural yoghurt.
For the Sauce
1 50g bar of 99% Cocoa Chocolate;
120g butter;
120g muscovado sugar;
150ml double cream.
Heat the oven to 180DegC. Cover the dates with boiling water, add the bicarb and leave for two minutes before draining then blitzing to a puree with a hand-held blender.
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, flour, cinnamon and yoghurt before mixing in the date puree, and combining well. Pour into a buttered dish, and bake for 35-40 minutes (I suggest you check after 30 minutes though, just in case!).
Whilst the pudding is baking, over a low heat melt together all the sauce ingredients until combined and thickened. I like to test the sauce constantly at this stage just to check that it’s to my liking (!!).
Leave the pudding to cool, serve with a generous spoonful of hot sauce and a sinful amount of double cream…
And another good thing about the start of the onset of winter? Seasonal sunrises like this. Well you do need some kind of reward for getting up at such ungodly hours at this time of year don’t you!?
otilia says
It looks really really yummy! And you photography skills are so good! Well done you!
bavaria says
Thanks so much Otilia! :)
Mari says
I am in pudding heaven looking at this, what a delicious pudding, definitely one to bookmark – if only I ahd time to make and bake all my bookmarked recipes!
bavaria says
I think you will like this one Mari! Thank you! :) xx
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
Rib-sticking stuff.
So, you gave a big bar of chocolate to your diabetic haribo-addict friend?!! Are you mad, woman? ;-)
bavaria says
It was my dad, and yes probably! :D But as 99% dark chocolate contains hardly any sugar I thought he could have some as a “treat”, but to be honest it was so vile you can only really cook with it! :D
Chloe says
This looks insanely good, really want some even though it’s not quite 8am yet :-(
bavaria says
I would be more than happy to have this for breakfast! :D Thanks Chloe! :)
Mammasaurus says
*sits with mouth open patiently waiting hopefully*
bavaria says
*finds biggest wooden spoon, shovels it in!* Thanks Annie! :D
Emily @amummytoo says
Seriously mouthwatering pic. I would love to try it – the sauce sounds wonderful.
Pinned and Stumbled. Thanks very much for linking up with #recipeoftheweek. There’s a new linky live now – would be brilliant to see you there again! :) x
bavaria says
Thanks Emily. Will get onto it! :D x
older mum in a muddle says
That pudding looks outrageously delicious – dark chocolate toffee sauce – YUM! And that last photograph is stunning. You should turn your blog and photography into some kind of book – both your writing and photography is beautiful and effortless. X
bavaria says
Maybe one day! I would love that! Thank you so much! :) xx
Sarah@The View From the Table says
What a beautiful sunrise! Oh, and I could eat this pudding all winter long :)
bavaria says
Me too… Thanks Sarah! :)
A Patchwork Life says
oh my word that looks good! Adore dates in a pudding..and a sticky sauce of course! Find food really tricky to photo, but your pictures always look fabulous. Such a skill. Love the sunrise too – serene and beautiful x
bavaria says
Thanks so much for the lovely comment… I am sure my photos are one of the reasons that my computer feels like it’s about to blow up, thanks to the millions of pictures of the same subject that I take!! :D
Helen The good life mum says
oh my word i love this i want this i have pinned it yum and your dawn picture is also amazing is there anything you cant do you amazing lady
bavaria says
Thank you Helen… There are plenty of things I am rubbish at believe me! :D xx
Sarah says
That just looks so indulgent, like I’d have to close my eyes to enjoy every moment. If you remember I am not a big fan of the encroaching winter months, so this pudding could well and truly se me through some dark days. x
bavaria says
I think it should be mandatory then! Thanks Sarah! :) xx
Sally Sellwood (@Recipejunkie27) says
Definitely a bonus of colder weather :-)
bavaria says
Thankfully. We seem to be having a bit of a strange warm weather moment, and quite honestly I want it to leave now… :D
Erica Price says
That pudding looks just right now the days are drawing in. Gorgeous sunrise there.
bavaria says
Thank you, the sunrises are beautiful at this time of year (when it’s not dark! :D )
Funky Wellies says
Yes, winter is coming… *hunched shoulders*
BUT this recipe definitely cheered me up! :o) xx
bavaria says
I am glad, thank you! I am not that glad about the winter part, but there’s no avoiding it! :D
Actually Mummy... says
Oh my…
It almost makes the pouring rain welcome. Almost ;)
bavaria says
Thank you. Always a silver lining! :D
Louisa @ My Family & Abruzzo says
It’s cold, windy and wet here and your lovely blog post was sitting at the top of my reading pile. The photo has warmed me up alone! This sounds superb and not too many ingredients.
bavaria says
Thanks so much Louisa! :)