Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding

Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding

A rich, dark British dessert featuring tender date-studded sponge smothered in warm toffee sauce. Pure comfort in pudding form.

KEY INFO

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 8

Difficulty: Moderate

Diet: Vegetarian (adaptable to vegan/GF)

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• 8×8 inch baking dish or 8 ramekins
• Medium saucepan
• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer (or whisk)
• Measuring cups/spoons

INGREDIENTS

For the Pudding:

• 285g (1¾ cups) pitted dates, chopped
• 150g (1¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 100g (½ cup) soft brown sugar
• 113g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Toffee Sauce:

• 290g (1¼ cups) heavy cream
• 200g (1 cup) soft brown sugar
• 113g (½ cup) unsalted butter, cubed
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C. Grease baking dish/ramekins.
2. Place chopped dates in a bowl. Cover with 1½ cups boiling water and add baking soda. Let stand 10 minutes until soft.
3. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and baking powder.
4. Add melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
5. Fold in date mixture (including liquid) until evenly distributed.
6. Pour into prepared dish(es). Bake 25-30 minutes until springy to touch and skewer comes out clean.
7. For sauce: Combine cream, sugar, butter and salt in saucepan over medium heat.
8. Simmer gently, stirring constantly until thickened (5-7 minutes). Add vanilla.
9. Pour hot sauce over warm pudding. Serve immediately.

CRUCIAL TIPS

• Don’t overmix the batter – it should be just combined
• Dates must be properly softened for the right texture
• Sauce will thicken more as it cools
• Test doneness: Pudding should spring back when pressed

STORAGE & VARIATIONS

Storage:

• Pudding keeps 5 days refrigerated
• Reheat individual portions in microwave
• Sauce stores separately up to 1 week

Common Variations:

• Add 1 tsp cinnamon to batter
• Top with toasted pecans
• Serve with vanilla ice cream
• Make GF using 1:1 GF flour blend
• Veganize with plant butter and flax eggs

The key to perfect sticky toffee pudding is patience with the dates and sauce. Take your time and you’ll be rewarded with the most gloriously sticky, toffee-rich comfort dessert imaginable.