Sticky Toffee Pudding

Step 1

FOR BAKING IN INDIVUDUAL RAMEKINS:Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat 6, 4 ounce ramekins with nonstick cooking spray; place on a baking tray.

Step 2

Place butter, baking soda, salt, both sugars, eggs, vanilla, and flour in a food processor; pulse until just combined. Add in the prunes and water; pulse until nearly smooth.

Step 3

Spoon the mixture into the ramekins, about 2/3 way full. Bake for about 18 minutes, until just firm to the touch and springs back to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.

Step 4

Preheat the broiler, putting the rack 4 inches from the heat source.

Step 5

In the meantime, make the caramel sauce, place butter, cream, brown sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking continuously until the mixture bubbles gently. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon, stirring often, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Remove cakes from the ramekins and slice in half horizontally; place the bottom halves back in the ramekins and drizzle with a little of the caramel sauce. Then place the cake tops back on and drizzle with a little more of the caramel sauce. Place the ramekins under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes (watch it closely) until it bubbles and looks sticky.

Step 7

Turn out cakes onto individual plates and drizzle with a little bit more of the caramel sauce, and a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of heavy cream.BAKING IN A SQUARE DISH: If you prefer to bake the cake in a single baking dish, np! Pour all of the batter into a greased 8x8 square baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Tent with foil, and bake another 15 minutes (checking 1 to 2 minutes before the end. A tester should come out clean. Some oven runs hot. Don't over-bake.) Let cool a few minutes, slice into squares and serve with the toffee sauce.USING DATES: If you prefer using pitted dates instead of prunes, it's an even swap, but dates will need to soak (or simmer) in hot water for at least 10 minutes prior to chopping them, so they're soft and plump.