Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Sticky toffee pudding is one of those desserts that makes your kitchen smell like pure heaven and tastes even better than it looks. This classic British treat combines a moist, date-filled sponge with a warm, buttery toffee sauce that soaks right in, creating layers of rich, caramel-y goodness.

I first fell in love with sticky toffee pudding during a chilly autumn evening when I needed something truly indulgent. The combination of tender, almost cake-like texture with that glossy toffee sauce was an instant hit with my family. What makes this sticky toffee pudding recipe so special is how the dates naturally sweeten and moisten the sponge, while the baking soda creates an incredibly soft crumb. It’s surprisingly simple to make, yet impressive enough to serve at dinner parties or holiday gatherings.

What You’ll Need for This Sticky Toffee Pudding

I always recommend using Medjool dates for the richest flavor, though any pitted dates work beautifully. The quality of your butter matters here too, so reach for a good unsalted variety. Here’s everything you’ll need:

For the Pudding:

• 1 ½ cups pitted dates, roughly chopped
• 1 ¼ cups boiling water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Toffee Sauce:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pro tip: I prefer dark brown sugar for deeper caramel notes in the sauce. Make sure your butter is truly softened to room temperature for easier creaming.

How to Make Perfect Sticky Toffee Pudding

I recommend gathering all your ingredients before starting, as this recipe moves quickly once you begin mixing. Here’s my tried-and-true method:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Place the chopped dates in a small bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Stir in the baking soda and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The mixture will bubble slightly, which helps soften the dates.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.

Step 4: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. This creates air pockets for a tender texture. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Step 5: Mash the date mixture with a fork until it forms a thick paste with some small date pieces remaining. Add it to the creamed butter mixture, stirring just to combine. The batter may look slightly separated, but that’s normal.

Step 6: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Stop mixing as soon as you no longer see flour streaks. Overmixing creates a tough, dense pudding.

Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes. The pudding is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.

Step 8: While the pudding bakes, prepare the toffee sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream together. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon with a glossy sheen. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 9: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.

Step 10: Once the pudding comes out of the oven, use a skewer or chopstick to poke about 15-20 holes all over the top, going about halfway down. This allows the sauce to soak in beautifully.

Step 11: Pour about half of the warm toffee sauce over the pudding immediately, letting it seep into all those holes. Let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb.

Step 12: Serve the sticky toffee pudding warm in individual portions, drizzling each piece with the remaining toffee sauce.

Perfect Pairings for Sticky Toffee Pudding

This dessert is rich and sweet, so it pairs beautifully with creamy or tangy accompaniments.

Vanilla Ice Cream: The cold, creamy vanilla contrasts perfectly with the warm, sticky pudding and creates an irresistible hot-and-cold experience.

Whipped Cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds airiness and cuts through the richness without overwhelming the toffee flavor.

Warm Custard: Traditional British-style custard poured over sticky toffee pudding creates a luxurious, restaurant-quality dessert.

Strong Coffee or Tea: The slight bitterness of coffee or black tea balances the sweetness and makes this an ideal after-dinner treat.

More Delicious Desserts to Try

If sticky toffee pudding has won your heart, there are several other sweet treats that bring similar comfort and indulgence to the table. For festive occasions, the elegant Easy Gingerbread Tiramisu offers layers of spiced flavor with creamy mascarpone, while White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies add a minty twist to holiday cookie platters.

When planning a complete dessert spread, consider serving sticky toffee pudding alongside lighter options like Cake Batter Cookies for variety in texture and sweetness levels. The rich Peppermint Oreo Balls make wonderful companions for special gatherings, offering bite-sized indulgence that complements the warm, comforting nature of this classic British pudding.

Storing Your Sticky Toffee Pudding

Store leftover sticky toffee pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend keeping the remaining toffee sauce in a separate container so you can control how much you add when reheating. The sauce alone will keep for up to a week when stored separately.

To reheat individual portions, microwave for 30-45 seconds until warm, then drizzle with sauce. For oven reheating, cover with foil and warm at 300°F for 10-12 minutes. The toffee sauce can be gently reheated in a small saucepan or microwave, stirring every 15 seconds.

Pro tip: This sticky toffee pudding actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded together. The pudding absorbs more sauce overnight, becoming incredibly moist and flavorful.

Common Questions About Sticky Toffee Pudding

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