Decadent Cape Brandy Date Pudding
Indulge in the rich and luxurious flavors of this Decadent Cape Brandy Date Pudding, a beloved South African dessert that epitomizes comfort and celebration. This traditional dessert features a moist and dense dark brown date pudding, studded with chopped nuts, which exudes a sweet caramel-like aroma. Once baked to perfection, the pudding is generously drenched in a luscious brandy and butter sauce that seeps into every crevice, enhancing its flavor and texture. Ideally served warm with a dollop of cream, this pudding promises to create memorable moments at your dinner table, just as it did at MarieAlice's gathering. Whether it’s a festive occasion or a cozy family dinner, this dessert is sure to impress.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
dates, chopped
250 ml (chopped and soaked in boiling water)
bicarbonate of soda
5 ml (mixed with boiling water)
boiling water
250 ml (used to soak dates)
flour
375 ml (sifted)
baking powder
2.5 ml (sifted with the flour)
salt
5 ml (sifted with the flour)
butter
125 ml (softened for creaming)
sugar
250 ml (for creaming with butter)
eggs
2 (beaten)
nuts, chopped
5 ml (chopped)
additional butter
10 ml (for greasing the dish)
brown sugar
180 ml (for sauce)
water
250 ml (for sauce)
vanilla essence
5 ml (for sauce)
brandy
125 ml (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
2
In a bowl, mix the bicarbonate of soda with the boiling water and pour it over the chopped dates. Set aside to cool and allow the dates to soften.
3
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that your pudding will have a light texture.
4
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well incorporated.
5
Add the sifted flour mixture to the butter mixture, and gently fold it in. Then stir in the soaked dates along with the water they soaked in. Finally, fold in the chopped nuts for added texture.
6
Pour the batter into a buttered shallow ovenproof dish and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7
While the pudding is baking, prepare the sauce by combining the butter, brown sugar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until it thickens slightly to form a syrup.
8
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla essence and brandy.
9
Once the pudding is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before pouring the hot sauce generously over it, allowing it to soak in. Serve warm with cream.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Cape Brandy Date Pudding?
It is a traditional South African dessert featuring a moist, dense dark brown date pudding drenched in a brandy and butter sauce.
What are the primary flavors of this pudding?
The pudding has rich, luxurious flavors with a sweet caramel-like aroma, enhanced by brandy, butter, and chopped nuts.
How should I prepare the dates for this recipe?
The dates should be chopped and soaked in 250 ml of boiling water mixed with bicarbonate of soda until they soften.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) before baking.
How long does the Cape Brandy Date Pudding need to bake?
The pudding should bake for 40 to 50 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
What is the purpose of sifting the flour, baking powder, and salt?
Sifting these ingredients ensures that the pudding will have a light and consistent texture.
What kind of baking dish is required?
Use a buttered shallow ovenproof dish for baking the pudding.
How do I make the brandy sauce?
Boil butter, brown sugar, and water until it thickens into a syrup, then stir in vanilla essence and brandy.
When should I pour the sauce over the pudding?
The hot sauce should be poured generously over the pudding once it has been removed from the oven and cooled slightly.
What is the best way to serve this dessert?
It is ideally served warm with a dollop of cream.
Does this recipe include nuts?
Yes, the pudding is studded with chopped nuts for added texture.
What ingredients are needed for the pudding batter?
The batter requires chopped dates, bicarbonate of soda, boiling water, flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, and nuts.
How much brandy is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 125 ml of brandy for the sauce.
Can I use white sugar for the sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for 180 ml of brown sugar to achieve the desired syrup consistency and flavor.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires 2 beaten eggs.
What is the role of bicarbonate of soda in this recipe?
It is mixed with boiling water to help soften the dates and aids in the pudding's leavening process.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is considered a celebration dessert perfect for festive occasions or cozy family dinners.
What is the texture of the pudding once baked?
The pudding is moist and dense, with a texture that allows it to soak up the brandy sauce.
How much butter is needed for the batter?
You will need 125 ml of softened butter for the creaming process.
Should the eggs be added all at once?
No, the eggs should be beaten in gradually after creaming the butter and sugar.
How much flour is used?
The recipe requires 375 ml of sifted flour.
What is the amount of vanilla essence used in the sauce?
The sauce includes 5 ml of vanilla essence.
Is the sauce supposed to be thick?
The sauce should be cooked until it thickens slightly into a syrup before adding the brandy.
How much boiling water is used to soak the dates?
The dates are soaked in 250 ml of boiling water.
Can I serve this pudding cold?
While it can be eaten cold, serving it warm is recommended to enjoy the full flavor and the texture of the sauce.
What is the origin of this dish?
It is a traditional and beloved South African dessert.
How much salt is included?
The recipe uses 5 ml of salt, sifted with the flour.
How much baking powder is needed?
The recipe calls for 2.5 ml of baking powder.
What amount of sugar is used in the pudding itself?
The pudding batter requires 250 ml of sugar to be creamed with the butter.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 15 distinct ingredient measurements used to make both the pudding and the sauce.