📝 Ingredients Breakdown
🍰 Cake Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dates | 200g |
| Bicarbonate Soda | 1 tsp |
| Hot Water | 170ml |
| Treacle | 65g |
| Self-Raising Flour | 250g |
| Unsalted Butter | 115g |
| Dark Brown Sugar | 200g |
| Eggs | 3 small or 2 large |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Ground Cinnamon | ½ tsp |
| Ground Ginger | ½ tsp |
| Chopped Pecans | 75g |
🧈 Buttercream Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 150g |
| Icing Sugar | 300g |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 tsp |
| Caramel (plus extra for drizzle) | 4 tbsp |
🥜 Caramelised Pecans
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pecans | 100g |
| Light Brown Sugar | 60g |
| Cinnamon | ¼ tsp |
| Maple Syrup | 30g |
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Bake the Cake
✅ Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Grease and line a 9×9 square baking tray.
✅ Soak & Blend Dates: Add dates, bicarbonate soda, and hot water to a bowl. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, then blend in a food processor (keep the water).
✅ In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
✅ Whisk in vanilla extract and eggs (one at a time).
✅ Mix in the blended date mixture and treacle.
✅ Fold in flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and chopped pecans.
✅ Pour into the lined baking tray, smooth the surface, and bake for 35-45 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).
✅ Let cool completely before frosting.
2️⃣ Make the Caramelised Pecans
✅ In a saucepan, combine sugar and maple syrup over medium heat.
✅ Once the sugar dissolves, boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
✅ Stir in the pecans, then spread on parchment paper to cool.
✅ Separate the nuts while cooling.
3️⃣ Prepare the Buttercream
✅ In a bowl, whip butter with an electric whisk for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
✅ Add icing sugar in 3 batches, mixing well each time.
✅ Mix in vanilla extract and caramel until smooth and silky.
✅ Add a pinch of salt if desired.
4️⃣ Assemble the Cake
✅ Remove cake from the tin and place on a serving dish.
✅ Spread buttercream evenly over the top with a spatula or palette knife.
✅ Drizzle caramel over the frosting.
✅ Decorate with caramelised pecans (and optional mini fudge pieces).
✅ Cut into 12-16 servings (or 9 for indulgent portions).
💡 Pro Tips & Variations
✔️ Treacle Substitute: Use golden syrup if you can’t find treacle.
✔️ Nut-Free Option: Skip the pecans for a smooth, nut-free cake.
✔️ Homemade Caramel: If preferred, make your own caramel instead of store-bought.
✔️ Extra Indulgence: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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