Description

Sticky Toffee Pudding is a warm, moist sponge cake infused with sweet, caramelized dates and drenched in a buttery toffee sauce. This traditional British dessert is incredibly soft, rich, and utterly irresistible, making it a perfect choice for a comforting treat after dinner. Served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, this pudding is a crowd-pleaser that melts in your mouth with every bite.

Whether you’re making it for a holiday gathering, special occasion, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this homemade sticky toffee pudding is surprisingly easy to prepare and will quickly become a favorite!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pudding Cake:

1 cup pitted dates, chopped
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup boiling water
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

For the Sticky Toffee Sauce:

1 cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Date Mixture

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a small bowl, combine chopped dates and baking soda.
Pour boiling water over the dates, stir, and let sit for 10 minutes.

2. Make the Pudding Batter

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
Fold in the softened date mixture.

3. Bake the Pudding

Grease a 9-inch square or round baking dish.
Pour the batter into the dish and smooth the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. Make the Sticky Toffee Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together.
Stir in heavy cream, vanilla, and salt.
Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.

5. Assemble & Serve

Poke holes in the warm cake with a toothpick.
Pour half of the toffee sauce over the cake and let it soak in.
Serve warm with extra toffee sauce drizzled on top.
Pair with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.

Notes

Don’t skip the dates – They add natural sweetness and moisture to the sponge.
For a deeper caramel flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
Let the cake rest for a few minutes after adding the first layer of sauce for better absorption.
Make it ahead – The pudding tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Want extra indulgence? Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before serving.