For your Sticky Toffee Pudding - and many other treats!

Ingredients

  • 100g (4oz) caster sugar
  • 25g (1oz) butter, diced
  • 100ml (3½fl oz) cream
  • 1 vanilla pod, split in half and seeds scraped out
  • 2 tblsp dark rum


Method

  1. Bring the sugar and 200ml (7fl oz) water to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until reduced by a quarter and syrupy.
  3. Add the butter, cream, vanilla seeds and rum to the caramel, stirring until combined, then simmer gently for another 5 minutes, until thickened.
  4. Leave to cool for 10-15 minutes, until thickened a little further.
  5. This is ready to serve warm or transfer to a bowl and leave to cool completely, then cover with clingfilm and keep in the fridge until needed. This can also be put in a squeezy bottle. Use warm or cold as required.

Variation:

Salted Butterscotch Sauce - Add 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes with the vanilla seeds and cook as described above.

Cook Ahead:

This will keep happily for up to 1 week covered with clingfilm in the fridge.