Mini Sticky Date Loaf with Golden Syrup Butter
I get so excited when I come across a recipe that works very well. It’s almost kiddy like. Similar to when a child gets hold of a new toy and spends days walking around with it like it’s a security blanket. This recipe for a sticky date loaf worked perfectly for me. I want to scream it from the rooftops or print it on a flyer and drop it into people’s mailbox.
I’ve tried several sticky date pudding recipes before and they have been delicious, but there is something special about this one. It is an easy recipe that can be mixed in one pot. It is soft, moist and isn’t overly sweet. The gorgeous flavour of the dates really shines through.
I am an absolute lover of butterscotch syrup on sticky date pudding, it makes it all the more luscious. However this golden syrup butter really compliments the sticky date loaf and lightens it up too.
Mini Sticky Date Loaf with Golden Syrup Butter
Recipe adapted from Quick Smart Cook
Makes 4 small loaves or 1 standard loaf
Sticky Date Loaf
250g pitted dates
1 cup water
60g unsalted butter
180g caster sugar
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
180g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup walnuts, chopped
Golden Syrup Butter
125g unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons golden syrup
Preheat the oven to 170°C. Butter 4 small loaf tins or 1 standard loaf pan. Place dates in a saucepan with water and bring to the boil, then decrease heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes until all the liquid has absorbed and the dates are mushy. Mash to break up any big pieces, then add the butter, sugar and golden syrup. Stir until the butter has melted, then remove from the heat and stir the baking soda into the hot mixture. Cool slightly, then stir in the egg. Fold in the flour and baking powder, then spread the batter into the pan and sprinkle the walnuts on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool slightly in the pan, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
For the golden syrup butter, in the bowl of an electric mixer beat the butter on high speed until smooth and pale. Add the golden syrup, continue beating and scraping down the sides of the bowl until the syrup is fully incorporated into the butter.
Slice the stick date loaf and serve with golden syrup butter to spread.
26 Comments
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
April 26th at 4:11 pmJust yesterday I made Mamoul – the dates filled Middle eastern cookies and yet after seeing this I want more dates in my life! Looks great Amy. And yes yes I hear you screaming 😉 Golden syrup is sure a European/Australian thing – not seen it around here.
sukaina
April 26th at 4:32 pmI come from the land of dates so I should really get on the date bandwagon and start making some date delicacies.. I love the red knife!!
Phuoc’n Delicious
April 26th at 4:46 pmI haven’t had sticky date pudding/cake in ages! I think I like the look of yours and I love how it comes together in one bowl; less cleaning to do (awesome!).
Mika
April 26th at 5:34 pmI made a date cake long time ago, it was my first and last date cake…It was good but not perfect…To use dates in sweets is unusual here so I never think about them when I’d like to bake one…
I will try yours as soon as I can…it seems so delicious…
cityhippyfarmgirl
April 26th at 7:13 pmOh snap, crackle, pop! I just relieved my mum of her mini loaf pan this weekend…. I think sticky date goodies were meant to be baked in them.
tigerfish
April 26th at 7:33 pmI like it when it is not overly sweet 🙂
And the idea for golden syrup butter is great too!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
April 26th at 7:38 pmWhat an easy recipe! It’s great that it’s all made in one pan, and I love the idea of a Golden Syrup butter! I’m thinking that would be great on all kinds of things.
Nami
April 26th at 8:00 pmHi Amy! I’ve never had date loaf. I had date separately but not with the bread. It looks so delicious! I love the golden syrup butter. Never thought of that combination before. Looks so yummy! I have to go home thinking of that… 🙂
pigpigscorner
April 26th at 8:25 pmThis seems like a lighter version of the sticky date pudding I’m used to. Very nice! Love how you served it with butter instead of syrup! YUM!
yummychunklet
April 27th at 1:37 amI’m coming around to liking dates, and this cake sounds great with the butterscotch sauce!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
April 27th at 3:56 amOMG, you are killing me with such an easy recipe.I love dates.We get Mejdool dates here and I use it anywhere possible.I love the all in one pan idea.
sweetlife
April 27th at 6:48 amOh my mother would love to feast on this date loaf, I love that i could serve two and stash the other two away for me, lol
sweetlife
Juliana
April 27th at 8:30 amOh ! Date bread…looks delicious and so tasty, specially with the golden spread…perfect at anytime. Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
Susan
April 27th at 12:32 pmThat looks awesome! Sticky date pudding is one of my favourite desserts and the butter makes it easier to transport and eat at work too.
Aussie_Berrie
April 27th at 3:51 pmWOW!! How yummy!!
Joanne
April 27th at 9:46 pmI’ve got a box of dates sitting here and I’ve really wanted to figure out ways to incorporate them more into my baking! This loaf seems like the perfect way to go. And maybe you didn’t scream it from the rooftop, but you screamed it over the world wide web…which is probably more efficient, don’t you think?
Rosa
April 28th at 3:47 amMmmmhhh, just heavenly! That is one fabulous combo. What a treat!
Cheers,
Rosa
rebecca
April 28th at 10:54 pmlove this like a sticky toffee pudding as a cake yum
Rebecca
OohLookBel
April 29th at 2:50 pmThis cake reminds me of those old-fashioned date loaves that came in a cylinder shape – full of dates and walnuts and deliciousness. We used to butter them as well, though some golden syrup butter would have been even better. PS: I think I have that same knife!
kankana
April 29th at 3:51 pmI am not a fan of dates .. but hubby is and I think this loaf will make him super happy . I like how simple the recipe is .. no fuss at all.. this is the kind of baking I enjoy 🙂
Soma
April 30th at 1:11 amDates are so good, & can imagine biting into this goodness. Sometimes the simpliest recipes are the best and I can imagine your excitement. This is going to be on my to do list. & the idea of golden syrup butter is utterly delicious!
crustabakes
May 1st at 2:19 amThis seems like THE sticky date pudding recipe. I love the golden syrup butter idea. Your neighbours are very lucky people if you really decided to scream out this recipe on your rooftop!
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
May 1st at 9:19 amThese mini loaves are so adorable. I’ve never tried sticky date anything but my best friend who’s lived in London a few years say they’re great =D.
Melissa
May 17th at 1:20 pmMy goodness the mini loaves look delicious! I’ve never seen golden syrup butter before, it would be great slathered on any loaf cakes or even a knob of it left to melt over stuffed baked apples.
Vivienne
May 20th at 7:23 pmbelieve it or not, the only sticky date loaf ive had are the frozen ones you buy from the supermarket! looks like this is about to change…bookmarked this! that bowl of golden syrup butter looks too good!
betty
June 18th at 6:34 pmthis looks SO GOOD!!!!!! i love stickydate and the golden syrup butter omg drool..