Toffee Cake With Caramel Sauce

If you need a "date" for Valentine's Day or to feel "rich"...then this is the recipe for you! Whooeee! Pureed dates lend such a richness and depth to this dessert, while the rum gives it a "grown-up" kick!

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 9-16
• Yields: 1 8x8 pan

Ingredients

• Toffee Cake

•  butter, for the pan
• 8  ounces  pitted chopped dates
• 1⁄2 cup light rum (see substitution below)
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2  cups flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1  cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2  eggs

• Caramel Sauce

• 1  cup  cream
• 1  cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
• 1⁄4 cup light rum (see substitution below)

Directions

1. Butter an 8- or 9-inch square pan; set aside.
2. Put dates, rum and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil, stirring frequently, then reduce heat and simmer until dates are soft (about 5 minutes).
3. Puree dates in a blender or food processor; let cool 15 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F.
5. While your "date" is cooling his heels (hahah), in a medium bowl, stir together flour, powder, salt, cinnamon and soda; set aside.
6. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs (one at a time).
7. Reduce mixer speed to low, alternate adding flour mixture and pureed dates.
8. Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth top, then pop into the oven; bake for 25 minutes (set the timer).
9. At end of 25 minutes, turn heat down to 325°F and bake an additional 15-20 minutes. Cake tester should come out clean.
10. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes (set the timer).
11. Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen; place a large serving plate over the top of the pan, invert the pan/plate.
12. Make the sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine cream, brown sugar and butter.
13. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the remaining rum, cook 1 more minute.
14. Pour warm sauce over cake.
15. SUBSTITUTIONS: To make this more kid-friendly, substitute water or apple juice.