Brother’s Throwback

There are a lot of universal questions out there, questions that I have learnt through psychology, that are actually unanswerable, as they cannot be empirically measured.

Why am I using smart language? Because I am sitting in the grass on a lawn at my university typing away, pretending I am doing actual big person stuff, when really, I am promoting food porn…

But back to those types of questions, the types that now, I feel like I am not allowed to ask in the presence of those who do psychology, such as ‘what is life?’ and ‘what is my purpose?’

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They are too philosophical, too broad, too unmeasurable, and yet, we all wonder about them. Let me add to what appears to be, the never ending list of  universal questions.

Is sticky date ‘pudding’ a pudding… OR A CAKE?!

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I have been making this dessert (generic terms are best) for years, traditionally for my brother’s birthday so one special March day annually! And each time, while I cut it, spoon sauce all over it and serve a large scoop of vanilla ice cream next to it, I keep thinking… what am I serving?

What is it that I am feeding to people? How can I serve something and not know? What a conundrum…

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But, this year, it was my brother’s 21st and it was about time I found out what was going on with his favourite dessert. Honestly, you want to know what I feel? It is SO a cake. I bake it, I cut it, it can be layered and filled with butterscotch buttercream (try that sometime!), otherwise it can be smothered in sauce. But at its foundation, it is a cake.

I think it is called a Sticky date pudding for aesthetic purposes. Sticky Date Cake sounds abrupt, cold and not particularly exciting. Building up before being shut down by ‘cake’. Pudding is drawn out, savourable (totally not a word…) and when I think of it, I do envision  a very gooey, ramekin-ed dessert with vanilla ice cream melting into it.

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After writing down my thoughts about this cake, you know what? I am not going to look it up. Like what you want to believe life is about, this is what I believe a sticky date to be about. We all have a lot opinions I am sure, but you know… I am quite happy with mine.

And no matter what anyone believes, just like life, a sticky date is beautiful 😀

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Oh my gosh… it definitely could not be any cornier… sorry about that 😛

This sticky date, it is genuinely the best recipe you will ever find. The cake comes out quite rich and moist, even if you have over baked it a little (which I have in the past), and you know it is incredible if, even without any ice cream or sauce, you can eat it straight from the fridge! As you can see, the crumb is very moist and the butterscotch sauce is smooth and compliments beautifully!

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Maybe if you have a 21st coming up soon, you too, could make one?

Or if you just feel like an indulgent afternoon tea maybe? 😉

No judging here! 😀

RECIPE 😀
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69 Comments

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  3. Anna Johnston says:

    Dang girl… Just had my dinner and am craving a sweet treat. Feed MEEE!!! 🙂 Hmm, I’ve never really thought about it, but I reckon it is more cake than pudding. Beaut photos, by the end of the post my nose was touching the screen. I want. 🙂

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  6. Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says:

    Drooooooooooool. In big person speak… One universal questions that is actually answerable, “Is that pudding as delicious as it looks?” Answer: I’ll just have to make it to find out. (Always happy to test). Another “How amazing is that on the taste-ometer.” Off the scale (in big person speak … so good it cannot be empirically measured.)

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  14. laurasmess says:

    Food porn is right!!! Oh my gosh, this is amazing Uru! I am a long-time fan of sticky date (and anything that has a gooey sauce for dessert) but I am loving your version with oodles of butterscotch sauce. I could wax lyrical about this all day (in philosophical terms, even!) x

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  20. Hannah says:

    Forget philosophy, just give me that plate! It looks so mouthwatering, you could call it anything and I would still want a heaping helping. You know what, I think that the same should be said of life, too… Perhaps I’ve just stumbled upon the answer for those deeper questions, too! 😉

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  22. Kathy says:

    Oh boy does this cake look decadent and delicious! I’ve never heard of Sticky Date Pudding before…now I have to give it a try! Thanks for the recipe!

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  32. Kim@Treats & Trinkets says:

    Trust me, no one’s doing big people stuff at uni. I used to write fanfiction on the quad and everybody thought I was studying. You’re doing fine. 😉

    I don’t care what this is called, it looks amazing. Any dessert with the word sticky in the title gets my vote!

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  35. GourmetGetaways says:

    Oh you reminded me, sticky date pudding was one of the first desserts I posted on my site! I love this dessert, yours looks so good, you are such a kind sister. I used to love studying psychology.

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  37. Debra says:

    I hope your brother knows how fortunate he is to have a sister with the level of your baking creativity, Uru! This date cake or pudding, or call it whatever you want to call it–is sure to be a favorite in my house. I love dates in any dessert, and this really appeals to me. 🙂 Yum!

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  48. Gina says:

    I find while pondering life altering questions cake is always necessary to achieve clarity. I think you are on the right track with this one. Hope your brother had a happy birthday.

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  52. GiGi Eats says:

    This cake – oh my goodness. Obviously NOT GiGi approved at all, but the presentation, the moist deliciousness… I am going to let it slide!!! 😉 Your brother probably thinks you are the BEST SISTER EVER!!

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  57. Deepti says:

    You are making me drool over the pictures, date cake and butterscotch topping… both are my fav and to compliment is the vanilla ice-cream… what else do you need, I hardly care what name you give.. just pass on the plate to me 🙂 well we have brothers sharing birthday’s in march.. what better way to celebrate than baking a wonderful cake like this…

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  59. Coffee and Crumpets says:

    Not to burst your deep, secrets of the universe bubble, isn’t it called pudding because it was originally steamed like many of the puddings back in England? But you are right, once you bake it, it’s so a cake!! I bake my treacle puddings too these days so I guess they are treacle cakes…just doesn’t sound right. Your bro, my bro and my hubby would get along just fine, this is their favourite cake too. happy birthday to your brother!!

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  61. John@Kitchen Riffs says:

    Happy 21st to your bro! And what a great cake (pudding, whatever) you made him! I’ve not had this, and I know it’s so popular. Really must try it one day — it looks terrific. And who cares if I can’t measure how terrific! 😉 Good stuff — thanks.

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  63. melissa says:

    Ooh– someone made me a date cake once! Without the butterscotch cream though — this looks absolutely dreamy!
    Lucky bro!
    Also love your new design and logo! 🙂

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