Nutty Toffee-Date Cake

• MAKE-AHEAD
• STAFF-FAVORITE
• VEGETARIAN

Cake

1. 10 Medjool dates (7 ounces), pitted
2. 3/4 cup water
3. 1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses
4. 1 cup all-purpose flour
5. 1 teaspoon baking powder
6. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
7. 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
8. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
9. Salt
10. 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
11. 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
12. 1 large egg
13. 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
14. 1/2 cup walnut halves
15. 1/2 cup pecan halves
16. 2 tablespoons corn syrup

Toffee Sauce

1. 1 stick unsalted butter
2. 1 cup dark brown sugar
3. 1 cup heavy cream
4. 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the paper.
2. In a small saucepan, simmer the dates in the water over moderately low heat until the liquid is reduced by half and the dates are very soft, about 10 minutes. Scrape the dates and liquid into a food processor. Add the molasses and puree. Let cool.
3. In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter with 1/2 cup of the brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla, then beat in the dry ingredients. Beat in the date puree.
4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cake is springy to the touch. Let cool for 10 minutes, then turn the cake out onto a rack. Peel off the parchment paper and return the paper to the pan.
5. Meanwhile, spread the walnuts and pecans in a pie plate and bake for about 9 minutes, until fragrant and golden. Let the nuts cool slightly, then chop them very coarsely. In a small bowl, stir the corn syrup with the remaining 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
6. Scatter the nuts over the parchment in the cake pan and drizzle the corn syrup mixture on top. Carefully return the cake to the pan (the same way it came out) and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then invert the cake onto a plate, replacing any nuts stuck in the pan.
7. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and sugar and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring. Off the heat, add the cream. Return the sauce to a boil and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt and let cool slightly.
8. Drizzle some of the toffee sauce over the cake and serve, passing the rest of the sauce on the side.