Winter is a time to hibernate, slap on those winter woollies and stay warm and fuzzy. It is also a time when good things tends to come out of the kitchen. This is one of the reasons why I love winter so much. This luscious boozy brandy dessert also better known as tipsy tart of Cape brandy pudding is one of those things.
This delicious dessert is nutty, drenched in a sugary-brandy sticky syrup that makes it oh so very luscious. The brandy combined with the dates definitely give the dessert that unmistakably rich flavour.
However; when baking with alcohol one must always be mindful of the following:
- Always add just the right amount of alcohol. You don’t want the alcohol to overpower the cake or dessert.
- Alcohol can definitely change the texture of the cake or dessert – depending on the amount combined with the other ingredients; it can either make it light and fluffy or dense.
- Use good quality alcohol as this will be evident in the flavour.
When I make this dessert in individual ramekins, I give the syrup some time to soak in before I turn it upside down on a plate. The ramekins should however be greased thoroughly to ensure an easy slide out.
I like to serve this very luscious boozy brandy dessert with custard or whipped cream.
Luscious Boozy Brandy Dessert
Ingredients
Dessert
- 150 gr pitted dates (chopped)
- 125 ml boiling water
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 28 gr butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 XL egg (room temperature)
- 1½ cups cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup pecan nuts (chopped)
Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 100 ml water
- 15 gr butter
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- ¼ cup brandy
Instructions
Method for Dessert
- In a bowl, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over pitted dates and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease 8 x 9cm individual ramekins.
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy.
- Sift dry ingredients together and add alternatively with date mixture to butter mixture.
- Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Mix in nuts.
- Pour mixture half way into each ramekin.
- Bake for 35 minutes until skewer comes out clean.
Method for Syrup
- In a saucepan, heat sugar and water until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from the stove and add stir in butter, vanilla essence and brandy.
- Pour syrup over hot dessert and allow to soak in.
