Recipe: Sticky date and caramel slice

One of my all-time favourite desserts is sticky date pudding, and I thought it was time I made a slice that combines the flavours of dates with a creamy caramel golden syrup icing.

Makes 16 pieces

Ingredients

175 g (6 oz) butter
½ cup brown sugar
150 g (5½ oz) dates, chopped
1½ cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 egg, whisked

Caramel icing

50 g (1¾ oz) butter
3 Tbsp golden syrup
1 cup icing sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan bake.
   
   
2. Line a 20 cm (8 in) square slice tin with baking paper.
   
   
3. Melt the butter and sugar in a large pot over a low heat. Add the dates and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes until the dates soften.

4. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the egg, and mix together until just combined.
   
   
5. Transfer to the lined slice tin and press out evenly, smoothing the top with the back of a metal spoon.
   
   
6. Bake for 15 minutes until golden on top. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before icing.
   
   
7. To make the Caramel Icing, melt together the butter and golden syrup, sift in the icing sugar, and whisk until there are no lumps.
   
   
8. Spread the icing over the base while it is still warm. Allow to cool and set before removing from the tin and cutting into pieces.
   
   
9. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to a week. 

Images and text extracted from Everyday Favourites: Delicious, easy meal solutions for busy families by Vanya Insull, published by Allen & Unwin NZ, RRP: $39.99. Photography by Melanie Jenkins, Flash Studios.