Cake:
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1 cup chopped pitted dates
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1 cup water
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2 tsp ground ginger
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1 tsp baking soda
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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1/2 tsp salt
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12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) butter, room temperature
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1 cup packed dark brown sugar
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1 cup granulated sugar
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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2 tsp vanilla extract
Toffee Sauce:
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3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
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12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1/4 tsp salt
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2 tsp vanilla extract
Steps
1
In a 2-qt saucepan, combine the dates and water. Heat to a boil on high. Remove from heat. Stir in the ginger and baking soda. Let cool completely.
2
Preheat oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, grease and flour a 10- to 12-cup bundt pan. Into a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, with hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined and creamy.
3
Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, until well mixed. Beat in the vanilla. Alternate between beating in date mixture and flour mixture until combined. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake 50–55 min., until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 15 min.
4
To make the toffee sauce, in a 3-qt saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, cream, and salt. Heat to a boil on high, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook 5 min., until thickened, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
5
Invert cake onto a rimmed plate or cake platter. While still warm, drizzle toffee sauce all over warm cake. Let cake continue to cool. Serve any remaining sauce on the side.
Tips
Spray kitchen shears with cooking spray and use to snip pitted dates into little bits.
Comments
To make ahead: Bake the cake up to 1 day ahead. Once cool, wrap tightly in plastic and keep at room temperature.