Name: Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: English
Ingredients: 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream; ½ cup (99 g) dark brown sugar; 2½ tablespoons golden syrup or molasses; Pinch of salt; 6 ounces (170 g) pitted dates, chopped; 1 cup (240 ml) water; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1¼ cups (150 g) all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter; ¾ cup (149 g) granulated sugar; 2 eggs, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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If you have a hankering for something truly comforting and decadently sweet, then this Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine a luxuriously moist, sponge-like cake infused with the natural sweetness of dates, all bathed in rich, buttery toffee sauce that’s both sticky and utterly irresistible. It’s a classic English dessert that wins hearts with every bite, perfect for cozy evenings or impressing guests with a homemade treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white small pot with a light wood handle sits on a light gray small plate, both placed on a round light wood board. Inside the pot is a dark brown, smooth sauce with a slight shine and a small bubble in the center. To the right, there is a metal spoon resting on the board. In the background, a small black bowl holds brown sugar, with some sugar spilled on the white marbled surface. A clear glass filled with light cream-colored liquid is also visible in the background. A beige cloth is softly folded in the upper left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering these simple, straightforward ingredients is the first step towards creating a stunning dessert. Each component is carefully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture, from the deep caramel notes of dark brown sugar to the soft chewiness of dates that make every bite special.

Heavy cream (2 cups): Creates the silky toffee sauce with a rich creaminess that blends beautifully with the sugar.
Dark brown sugar (½ cup): Provides intense molasses flavor essential for that classic toffee taste.
Golden syrup (2½ tablespoons): Adds a golden sweetness and helps achieve the perfect sticky texture.
Pinch of salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the toffee sauce.
Pitted dates (6 ounces), chopped: The soul of the pudding, offering natural sweetness and a tender, chewy texture.
Water (1 cup): Used to soften the dates, helping them blend smoothly into the cake batter.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Reacts with the dates for a wonderfully light and tender crumb.
All-purpose flour (1¼ cups): The base structure of the pudding, contributing to its tender sponge.
Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Ensures the sponge rises just right, offering a light texture.
Fine sea salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor overall.
Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): Brings richness and moisture, crucial for that melt-in-your-mouth effect.
Granulated sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the cake batter and helps create a lovely golden crust.
Eggs (2, room temperature): Bind everything together with a velvety texture and structure.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor that ties the pudding together.

How to Make Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Toffee Sauce

Start by combining the heavy cream, dark brown sugar, golden syrup, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil while stirring constantly to melt the sugar evenly. Next, lower the heat and let it simmer gently for about five minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This sauce is pure magic and will form the sticky foundation for our pudding.

Step 2: Set Up the Base Layer

Pour half of the luscious toffee sauce into a buttered 8½-inch baking dish, ensuring it coats the bottom evenly. This is where the cake batter will bake, soaking up all those sticky, caramel flavors. Pop the dish into the freezer for a quick chill while you prepare the pudding batter, which helps the sauce stay in place during baking.

Step 3: Soften the Dates

In a medium saucepan, heat the chopped dates with the water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, take the pan off the heat and stir in the baking soda. This reaction softens the dates thoroughly, giving the batter that unmistakably moist and tender texture. Keep this mixture warm as you move to the next steps.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. This ensures that the rising agents and salt are evenly distributed, giving you a light but flavorful cake crumb without any surprises.

Step 5: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy. This aeration is key to a soft cake. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a little curdled now—that will self-correct once the other ingredients are combined. Stir in the vanilla extract for an inviting aroma.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Alternately fold in half the flour mixture, then the warm date mixture, followed by the remaining flour. Mix gently and just until combined to avoid toughening the batter. The result should be a thick, luscious batter ready to bake.

Step 7: Bake Your Pudding

Retrieve your chilled baking dish from the freezer and carefully spoon the batter over the semi-frozen toffee sauce. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick poked in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it—this indicates a perfectly tender sponge.

Step 8: Serve with Extra Toffee

Once out of the oven, let your pudding rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon generous portions into bowls and lavish with the remaining warm toffee sauce. This sticky sauce is what makes the pudding so heavenly, and trust me, there is no such thing as too much.

How to Serve Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

A white bowl holds a dark brown cake piece with a moist, dense texture, topped thickly with glossy, light brown caramel sauce that drips slightly down the sides; a dollop of smooth, white whipped cream sits beside the cake on the left. In the background, there is a white ceramic dish with more cake and a spoon inside, and another white bowl with a serving of cake and whipped cream, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

The beauty of this Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe is its versatility when it comes to garnishing. A big dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm pudding. For an extra special touch, sprinkle some toasted chopped nuts or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the top to elevate the flavor and texture.

Side Dishes

While the pudding shines on its own, it can be beautifully paired with simple accompaniments that balance its sweetness. Think a cup of strong coffee, a robust black tea, or even a glass of dessert wine to complement the richness. Light fruit salads or a crisp, tangy citrus sorbet can also refresh the palate after each indulgent bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe can be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Try presenting the pudding in individual ramekins for a personalized touch, or dress it up in clear glass bowls to showcase those layers of sticky sauce and moist sponge. Top with edible flowers or a dusting of cinnamon for a stunning finish that will wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The pudding actually benefits from resting, as the flavors continue to deepen. Just be sure to keep the toffee sauce separate if possible, to maintain that perfect sticky balance when reheating.

Freezing

This Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe freezes wonderfully, making it fantastic for meal prepping dessert ahead of time. Freeze portions in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to two months. To freeze the pudding, cool it completely, cover tightly, and label with the date. The quality remains surprisingly fresh and delicious when thawed.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the pudding gently in the oven at 325°F, covered lightly with foil to prevent drying out. About 15–20 minutes should do the trick. Microwave reheating is quicker but can sometimes dry the sponge, so add a spoonful of water or extra toffee sauce and cover the dish to keep moisture in.

FAQs

Can I use dried dates instead of fresh ones?

Dried, pitted dates are actually what this recipe calls for as fresh dates are quite rare and have a different moisture content. Just be sure to chop them up and soak them in boiling water to soften before adding to the batter.

Is there a vegan version of this Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe?

Yes, you can swap out the butter for a vegan margarine and use plant-based milk in the toffee sauce. Flax eggs or commercial egg replacers can also be used. The key is to maintain moisture and richness for that classic sticky texture.

Why is baking soda added to the date mixture?

Baking soda reacts with the acidity of the dates and the moisture, helping to tenderize the fruit and create a moist, light cake crumb. It also helps prevent the pudding from being too dense or heavy.

Can I use a different sweetener than golden syrup?

Golden syrup is traditional and adds a unique flavor, but molasses, honey, or light corn syrup can be used as alternatives. Each will slightly alter the taste, with molasses giving a deeper, more robust note.

How long does it take to bake the pudding?

The baking time is about 50 minutes at 350°F. It’s important to check doneness by inserting a toothpick—moist crumbs indicate perfect pudding—don’t overbake or it risks drying out.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about mastering this Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe in your own kitchen. It brings a taste of tradition, a warm dose of nostalgia, and a whole lot of joy to your table. Whether you’re making it for a holiday, a special occasion, or just because you deserve a sweet treat, this pudding promises to comfort and delight with every sticky, sweet bite. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!