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Sticky Toffee Pudding

Featured in Sweet Delights for Every Occasion.

These sticky toffee muffins bring all the comfort of the classic pudding in an easier, handheld form. Blend soft dates with hot water until smooth, creating a natural sweetener that keeps the muffins incredibly moist. Fold the date mixture into your cake batter, along with warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, and bake in muffin tins until just set. While still warm, drizzle with homemade toffee sauce made from butter, cream, and brown sugar. The sauce soaks into the muffins, making the tops irresistibly sticky and sweet—perfect for an indulgent treat.
A young woman with wavy hair is gazing down contemplatively in a warmly lit kitchen filled with plants.
Updated on Thu, 16 Jan 2025 02:31:06 GMT
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A moist sticky toffee pudding topped with creamy sauce and a dollop of whipped cream sits on a white plate. Pin it
A moist sticky toffee pudding topped with creamy sauce and a dollop of whipped cream sits on a white plate. | cookingkeys.com

There's nothing quite like pulling warm sticky toffee puddings from the oven on a cozy evening! This cherished British dessert has become my family's most requested treat. The magic starts with tender date-filled cakes that bake up incredibly moist and then the moment that warm toffee sauce hits them pure heaven! I learned this recipe years ago while visiting a small bakery in the Cotswolds and I've been perfecting it in my kitchen ever since.

Why This Recipe Makes Everyone Happy

Every single time I make these sticky toffee puddings something wonderful happens. The whole house fills with the most incredible caramel aroma that brings everyone into the kitchen. My youngest always volunteers to be the official sauce taster and my husband mysteriously appears just as I'm pulling them from the oven. Even my mother who claims she doesn't like dates absolutely loves these! The best part? You can make them ahead for dinner parties which means less stress and more time with your guests.

Everything You Need

  • For Those Perfect Little Cakes: Fresh sticky dates, good butter, dark brown sugar, farm fresh eggs, a splash of molasses, regular flour, baking powder and soda, and a pinch of salt.
  • For That Heavenly Toffee Sauce: Heavy cream, more butter, brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Let's Start Baking

Prepping Your Dates
Chop dates and soak them in boiling water until soft. Blend into a paste with baking soda for the perfect texture.
Making Your Cake Batter
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in eggs and molasses. Fold in the date mixture and watch the batter turn a gorgeous caramel color.
Creating That Famous Sauce
Simmer cream, butter, and sugar into a thick toffee sauce, then add vanilla for a finishing touch. Always make extra—it’s irresistible!
A moist chocolate cake topped with a glossy caramel sauce and crumbled toppings, served in a shallow dish. Pin it
A moist chocolate cake topped with a glossy caramel sauce and crumbled toppings, served in a shallow dish. | cookingkeys.com

Planning Ahead Tips

These puddings actually improve with time. Make them up to five days ahead and store in the fridge, or freeze them individually for up to three months. Reheat gently and serve with freshly warmed toffee sauce for an effortless yet impressive dessert.

Making It Your Own

Experiment with gluten-free flour or vegan substitutes like coconut cream and flax eggs for inclusive variations. Add toasted pecans to the batter, or spike the sauce with bourbon for an adult twist. Seasonal spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add a festive touch.

The Perfect Way to Serve

Serve warm puddings with toffee sauce cascading down the sides. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream sprinkled with sea salt for extra indulgence. Set up a pudding bar with toppings like crushed toffee, toasted nuts, and fresh berries for a fun party option.

Special Moments Around The Table

These puddings have become a tradition for celebrations in our family, from graduations to Christmas Eve dinners. Their warm, rich flavor brings everyone together at the table, sharing stories and creating memories that last long after the plates are clean.

A moist chocolate dessert topped with glossy caramel sauce and chopped nuts on a white plate. Pin it
A moist chocolate dessert topped with glossy caramel sauce and chopped nuts on a white plate. | cookingkeys.com

One Final Sweet Note

Dessert making should be joyful! Enjoy the process and let the comforting smell of baking puddings fill your home. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect—what matters most is the delicious taste and the happiness they bring. And don’t forget, extra sauce is always a good idea!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why add boiling water to dates?

Hot water softens dates making them easier to blend into a smooth paste that adds moisture and richness to the cake.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Yes, cake and sauce keep up to 5 days refrigerated separately. Warm both before serving for best results.

→ Why use medjool dates?

Medjool dates are softer and sweeter than other varieties, giving better texture and flavor. Prunes can substitute.

→ How do I know cake is done?

Toothpick should come out clean or with few crumbs. Don't overbake or cake will be dry instead of sticky.

→ Why does toffee sauce thicken?

Cooking cream, butter and sugar slowly allows sugar to dissolve and sauce to reduce to proper consistency.

Conclusion

A traditional English dessert featuring a moist date sponge cake covered in rich, warm toffee sauce. Perfect for special occasions and comforting sweet cravings.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A rich, moist date sponge cake smothered in warm, buttery toffee sauce. Make as individual servings or one cake to share.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: English

Yield: 12 Servings (12 puddings)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 8 oz medjool dates, pitted.
02 1 cup boiling water.
03 1/3 cup butter, room temperature.
04 2/3 cup light brown sugar.
05 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
06 2 large eggs, room temperature.
07 2 tablespoons molasses.
08 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour.
09 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder.
10 1 teaspoon baking soda.
11 1/4 teaspoon salt.
12 1/2 cup heavy cream for sauce.
13 1/2 cup butter for sauce.
14 3/4 cup brown sugar for sauce.
15 Pinch salt for sauce.
16 2 teaspoons vanilla for sauce.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-cup muffin tin. Soak dates in boiling water 5 minutes.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, molasses and vanilla. Mix in sifted dry ingredients.

Step 03

Blend date mixture with baking soda, fold into batter.

Step 04

Pour into muffin tin, bake 18-20 minutes until just done.

Step 05

Simmer cream, butter, sugar and salt 7-10 minutes until thickened. Add vanilla.

Step 06

Pour warm sauce over cakes, optional walnut garnish.

Notes

  1. Can make up to 5 days ahead.
  2. Freezes up to 3 months.
  3. Can be made vegan or gluten-free.

Tools You'll Need

  • Food processor.
  • Muffin tin.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Eggs.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 386
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 56 g
  • Protein: 3 g