Merry Christmas Everyone! My gift to you is a wonderful recipe! I have been busy baking and cleaning for the past several days! I have made shortbread cookies, ginger snaps, chocolate chip cookies, coconut macaroons, pumpkin pie and today I finally made my most favorite dessert ever! Sticky Toffee Pudding, a recipe that came home with me from England. It has become a popular dessert here in the States lately. It was even on a news segment this morning. But none are just like the recipe that my friend Joanne and I brought back from England and the Tower Arms Bank Pub. 

Tomorrow, when I serve this dessert, I will put a slice of the cake on a plate and warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Then I will drizzle warmed toffee sauce over the slice and also drizzle heavy whipping cream over it. You can add a dollop of whipped cream instead if you like. Yum! I can't wait!! Grab a cup of coffee and have a seat and ENJOY! You will want to lick the plate!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
Tammy

In 1995, a group of four young ladies and artists were sent on a research trip to England. We were all working for Hallmark Cards at the time, now just Joanne and I do.  First, we landed in London and we spent a few days going to art museums, shopping and hitting outdoor flea markets. The Victoria and Albert Museum was one of my favorite places, especially the sculpture gallery. I could sit in that room for hours and marvel at the stunning pieces that were carved by the hands of amazing sculptors. I had always loved sculpting, but now I had a new found interest.

We are having High Tea. 
Pictured left to right - Carrie Phillips, Me, Lori Pierson and Joanne Eschrich

The Buckle Yeat is just up the street from Beatrix Potter's home called Hill Top. This is where we all stayed while in the Lake District. 

This pub would be responsible for starting a tradition for me back in the states! Joanne and I decided one evening to go to this pub for coffee one night, it might have even been Irish coffee, I don't quite recall! We decided to have dessert with our coffee and they recommended the Sticky Toffee Pudding, so we tried it! It was divine!!! This dessert made such an impression on Joanne and I that we had to go back for more another night! This time we decided we would ask for the recipe to take home with us. We didn't think they would share it with us, but they did! It is now a tradition that I make it every year at Christmas time. My husband has also become so fond of it that he reminds me that it is time to make it now! 

I plan making this pudding cake this week and I will photograph it and share the recipe with you in my next entry! It is very unique, but so indulgent that you will want to try it for yourself, with a nice cup of coffee. I will also share more pictures of my trip to Beatrix Potter's Hill Top home and a wonderful story of something else amazing that Joanne and I discovered! 
So check back soon!!
Tammy