Local larder: Sticky Toffee Muffins

In the next instalment of Tamsin Robinson’s lockdown desserts, our resident Cordon-bleu pastry chef shares her recipe of sticky toffee muffins. All the ingredients can be found in the local food stores of the area. 

‘I’ve adapted the classic pud into a slightly lighter, muffin form that’s a little more fitting as we move into Spring,’ says Robinson. ‘I recommend making the sauce in advance (it can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days) as it’s easier to handle when chilled.’

‘You can use it straight away if you are not able to make it in advance though. The recipe can also be made with gluten-free flour, but will need an extra 4-6 mins in the oven.’

Ingredients

For 12 muffins

Sticky Toffee Sauce
100ml double cream
60g salted butter
60g dark brown sugar
Muffins
200g pitted (ideally Medjool) dates
100ml boiling water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
160g dark brown sugar
200g self-raising flour (or 200g plain flour plus 2 tsp baking powder)
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method

First make the sauce (at least 2 hours in advance, if possible): Heat the cream, butter and sugar in a saucepan until everything has combined into a smooth sauce. Pour into a bowl and leave to chill in the fridge until needed later.

Preheat the oven to 175C fan, and line a 12-hole muffin tray with muffin cases.

Chop up the dates as fine as possible (I use kitchen scissors) and place in a large bowl with the boiling water.

Leave to soak for 2 mins, then mash well with a fork.

Add in all the other ingredients, and stir until everything is well combined.

Spoon 1 tbsp muffin batter into each muffin case. Then spoon over 1 teaspoon of the Sticky Toffee Sauce.

Divide the remaining batter between the 12 cases, covering the sauce as best as you can.

Bake on the middle shelf for 15-17 mins.

Leave to cool on a wire rack, and spoon extra sauce on top before serving.

Hungry for more? Check out Tamsin Robinson’s vanilla scone recipe.