formats

Sticky Toffee Pudding

on

I’m always excited when H.Y. Hanna releases a new book in her Oxford Tearoom Mystery series! You can count on a title with a clever pun, a good mystery, charming characters, and a delicious traditional British recipe. Her newest release, FOUR PUDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, the sixth book in the series, certainly does not disappoint! The protagonist, Gemma Rose, owns Little Stables Tearoom. Her fairly new business is taking off and she’s catering a funeral, the largest job she’s ever had. Mabel Cooke, one of the members of the “Old Biddies” group is overhead talking about how she would commit murder and not long afterwards, the widow drops dead at her husband’s funeral…just after eating some of the puddings Gemma’s tearoom provided. By the way, in England puddings refer to a variety of desserts and isn’t limited to the custards American’s call pudding. 

Click on book to visit Amazon

The four “Old Biddies” bring lighthearted humor to the story with their unhealthy interest in solving murders, especially when one of their own becomes a suspect. I love how they drag Gemma into trouble when she’s only trying to keep them from being arrested. It makes for some very humorous situations. H.Y. Hanna has a wonderful cast of characters in each of her books, including her darling tabby, Muesli. In FOUR PUDDINGS AND A FUNERAL we are also introduced to an adorable hedgehog, Pricklebum, and as a result learn a bit about the need to protect these creatures due to loss of habitat and other issues. The plot is well developed along with the subplots, including Gemma’s relationship with Devlin O’Connor. There’s something fishy going on with him but Gemma is afraid to confront him or find out the truth. It adds to the tension in the book, wondering how it will be resolved. 

Of course running a tearoom means plenty of delectable treats! One of the desserts Gemma takes to the funeral is Sticky Toffee Pudding. I was honored when H.Y. Hanna asked me to provide the recipe for her book! When my husband and I visited England many years ago, we ate Sticky Toffee Pudding numerous times. Once we returned home, a friend of ours from England shared her recipe with us and now it’s the only cake my husband requests on his birthday each year. I’ve tweaked it to suit our needs and streamline the process, but it’s every bit as yummy as what we ate during our trip. I like the fact that it uses very little butter and instead, relies upon lots of dates to provide both moisture and sweetness. Of course what really makes the cake is the super simple toffee sauce. You’ll want to eat it on ice cream, apple pie, and just about any other desserts including Sticky Toffee Pudding!

 

In England, many desserts, cakes included, are called puddings -- such as this date-flecked Sticky Toffee Pudding served with a rich toffee sauce.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Business is going well at Gemma Rose’s quaint English teashop and she’s delighted about her first big catering job at a local village funeral… until the day ends with a second body and one of the Old Biddies accused of murder! Now the resourceful tearoom sleuth must find out which delicious pudding contained the deadly arsenic—and who might have wanted the wealthy widow dead… But Gemma has other troubles to contend with, from her naughty cat, Muesli, running loose in her tearoom to an unexpected hedgehog guest in her home—and that’s before the all-important “meet the parents” dinner with her handsome detective boyfriend turns into a total disaster! With so many things on her plate, can Gemma solve the mystery in time to catch the murderer or will she come to a sticky end?

 

 

A huge thank you to H.Y. Hanna for providing winner’s choice of print or an e-book copy of FOUR PUDDINGS AND A FUNERAL to one winner.  Contest ends Monday, April 24, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

 

 

 

In England, many desserts, cakes included, are called puddings -- such as this date-flecked Sticky Toffee Pudding served with a rich toffee sauce.

Print
Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Ingredients

    Cake
  • 1 cup (180g) dates, pitted and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup (236ml) boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/2 cups (230g) self-rising flour*
    • Toffee Sauce
  • 1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup (177ml) whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) / 180 degrees (C).
    2. Cake
  2. Place dates in a heat-proof dish and add baking soda.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the dates and stir. Allow to cool to lukewarm temperature while you collect the remaining ingredients.
  4. Grease an 8-inch round or square cake tin and set aside.
  5. Beat the butter and brown sugar together for about 2 minutes until the sugar is coated with the butter.
  6. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  7. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  8. Slowly stir in the flour, beating on low until just incorporated.
  9. Using a hand-held stick immersion blender, pulse the date mixture until only small pieces of dates remain. (If you don't have a stick blender, you can, instead, finely chop the dates prior to adding the baking soda and boiling water, then proceed with the recipe as follows.)
  10. Add the cooled date mixture to the cake batter and mix to combine.
  11. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for 30 - 40 minutes. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
  12. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes then invert onto a serving platter.
    13. Toffee Sauce
  13. Combine the brown sugar, whipping cream, vanilla extract, and butter in a small saucepan.
  14. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  15. Cut the cake and serve on warmed plates. Pour a generous amount of the hot toffee sauce over the cake and garnish with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
    16. Tips
  16. If you don't have self-rising flour, substitute 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour and add 2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
  17. The toffee sauce can be made ahead of time. Refrigerate until needed then gently rewarm over low heat just before serving.
https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/sticky-toffee-pudding/

In England, many desserts, cakes included, are called puddings -- such as this date-flecked Sticky Toffee Pudding served with a rich toffee sauce.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

In England, many desserts, cakes included, are called puddings -- such as this date-flecked Sticky Toffee Pudding served with a rich toffee sauce.

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

 

 

 

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
FollowFollow us
PinterestSave

50 thoughts on “Sticky Toffee Pudding”

  4. I have all the books by H.Y. Hanna in hardback so it would be wonderful to have the paperback edition to add to it.
    H.Y. Hanna’s books are a fantastic read that I hope keeps on writing. Thank you for the giveaway.

  7. I love to feel a book in my hand, and going to the library is something my daughter and I do at least twice a week. So, I definitely prefer print! Thanks for the chance

  12. I would prefer print as my fingers are deformed from a nerve disease and I will review on 2 sites! thank you for coming to the site!

  14. Mmm..that looks delicious. Thankyou for the opportunity! I would like a print copy. E copy is great also.

  15. Surprisingly, we were served this in Texas, made from a mix available at the local grocery store!
    Tasty stuff!

    I read both print and e books, but love the feel of a “real” print book.

  16. I love a print book and after going to her site I’m in love with her covers and will order a few. The Sticky Toffee cake looks yummy.

  19. I would love to have a print copy for my bookshelf because I know I’ll be wanting to read it again & again 🙂

  23. I like print copies the best. I love books and seeing them, holding them, smelling them (new ones anyway!) LOL

  29. Just the title alone would make me want to pick this book up and read it but seriously, from the review, the plot is great. If I win, I’d prefer a print copy.

  30. The four “Old Biddies”, Gemma and a hedgehog make this book sound like so much fun! The sticky toffee pudding cake looks yummy and I love that the recipe includes dates! Can’t wait to try this! I’d love a print copy if I won.

  31. I would take either but if given the choice, I’d take the print copy please.
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    The recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding sounds to die for and I can’t wait to try it.

  34. I have just recently discovered this author <3 I would love to win a print copy of this title. Thank you for the chance

  40. I love, love, love Sticky Toffee Pudding! I use banana flour for mine, hot out of the oven with a little ice cream….yummy! This recipe is very similar to mine. Thank you for sharing!

  41. i love this title
    and the recipe sounds fantastic!
    i ‘d prefer a print copy, if i would win!

  43. Great post. If I am lucky enough to win, I would prefer a print cooy. Thank you so much.
    Cynthia

  44. I only read real books (printed). Thank you. This is a new author to me but one I want to read!

  47. I would prefer a print copy thank you. This recipe sounds divine! I love toffee and caramel so this would be a must try for me!

  49. Pingback: Queen Elizabeth Cake - Cinnamon and Sugar

Comments are closed.

Facebook
YouTube
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
Instagram