Slow Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding

Preparation

1. Slow Cooker Method

   1. Step 1

      Make the pudding: Generously butter a 2-quart soufflé dish, or another 2-quart oven-safe baking dish that fits into your slow cooker. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, mix ½ cup water with 2 tablespoons espresso powder, and stir to dissolve. Put the chopped dates in a small saucepan, and pour the espresso-water mixture over the dates. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer, stirring often and mashing the dates with the back of a spoon or a spatula, until the dates have absorbed most of the liquid and formed a paste, about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the baking soda; the mixture will foam.

   2. Step 2

      In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cardamom. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs and the 2 teaspoons espresso powder until the mixture is smooth. Whisk the date mixture into the wet ingredients, followed by the dry ingredients, until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared dish.

   3. Step 3

      Pour 4 cups water into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, then lower the soufflé dish into the slow cooker. The water should come about halfway up the sides of the dish. Lay a clean dishcloth or a double layer of paper towels on top of the slow cooker, leaving some overhang, and then top with a lid. (The cloth or towels will soak up condensation, and prevent it from dripping onto the surface of the pudding.) Cook until the pudding is firm and set on top, and the sides are just starting to pull away from the dish, 4 hours to 4½ hours on low.

   4. Step 4

      Make the sauce: Combine the brown sugar, cream and espresso powder in a small saucepan. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring just to a simmer, stirring with a spatula, over medium heat. Simmer, stirring constantly, and lowering the heat if the sauce starts to boil over, until the sauce is slightly darkened and reduced, about 5 to 8 minutes.

   5. Step 5

      Uncover and turn off the slow cooker, and let the pudding cool enough for you to reach in and pull the dish out. Using a cake tester or a skewer, poke holes all over the cake. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the top, then slowly pour half of the sauce over the pecans, tipping the dish to evenly cover the pudding in sauce. Serve the pudding in scoops, warm or at room temperature, with the additional sauce on the side and whipped cream on top.

2. Oven Method

   1. Step 6

      Make the pudding: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Generously butter an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Mix ½ cup water with 2 tablespoons espresso powder, and stir to dissolve. Put the chopped dates in a small saucepan and pour the espresso-water mixture over the dates. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer, stirring often and mashing the dates with the back of a spoon or a spatula, until the dates have absorbed most of the liquid and formed a paste, about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the baking soda; the mixture will foam.

   2. Step 7

      In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cardamom. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs and 2 teaspoons espresso powder until the mixture is smooth. Whisk the date mixture into the wet ingredients, followed by the dry ingredients, until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared dish. Bake until the top of the cake is risen and set and a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean or with just a few damp crumbs, 30 to 40 minutes.

   3. Step 8

      Meanwhile, make the sauce: Combine the brown sugar, cream and espresso powder in a small saucepan. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring just to a simmer, stirring with a spatula, over medium heat. Simmer, stirring constantly, and lowering the heat if the sauce starts to boil over, until the sauce is slightly darkened and reduced, about 5 to 8 minutes.

   4. Step 9

      Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a serving plate. Using a cake tester or a skewer, poke holes all over the cake. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the top, and then slowly pour half of the sauce over the pecans, tipping the dish to evenly cover the pudding in sauce. Serve the pudding in scoops, warm or at room temperature, with the additional sauce on the side and whipped cream on top.