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Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding – Soft, Moist & Comfortingly Sweet

This Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert—soft, warm, moist, and drenched in a silky toffee sauce that melts into every crumb. Made with sweet dates, brown sugar, vanilla, and butter, this pudding delivers deep caramel flavor without any alcohol. It’s traditionally served warm and topped with creamy toffee sauce, making it perfect for holidays, winter nights, family gatherings, or anytime you crave a cozy, nostalgic dessert that feels like a warm hug. Each bite is tender, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Sauce Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake (Pudding) Base
  • 1 cup Pitted dates
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 2 Large eggs
  • 1 cup Brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
For the Toffee Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup Brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • 8×8 baking dish or individual ramekins
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Oven-safe dish
  • Small saucepan (for toffee sauce)

Method
 

  1. 🔹 PART 1 — MAKE THE PUDDING CAKE
Step 1 — Preheat & Prepare Dish
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease an 8×8 baking dish or individual ramekins.
Step 2 — Soften the Dates
  1. Add dates and water to a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
  3. Simmer for 3 minutes until dates soften.
  4. Remove from heat.
  5. Stir in baking soda (it will foam).
  6. Set aside to cool slightly.
  7. Mash lightly with a fork.
Step 3 — Cream Butter & Brown Sugar
  1. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar.
  2. Mix until creamy, fluffy, and light.
Step 4 — Add Eggs & Vanilla
  1. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  2. Add vanilla extract.
  3. Mix until smooth.
Step 5 — Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  2. All-purpose flour
  3. Baking powder
  4. Salt
  5. Ground cinnamon
Step 6 — Add Dry Ingredients to Butter Mixture
  1. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
  2. Use low speed or a spatula.
  3. Do not overmix.
Step 7 — Add the Date Mixture
  1. Pour the warm mashed dates (with liquid) into the batter.
  2. Fold gently until combined.
  3. Batter should be thick and glossy.
Step 8 — Pour & Bake
  1. Pour batter into your greased dish.
  2. Bake 30–35 minutes (large dish)
  3. OR 18–22 minutes (ramekins).
  4. Insert a toothpick in center — it should come out clean.
Step 9 — Poke Holes (Optional but recommended)
  1. While warm, poke small holes on the top.
  2. This helps the toffee sauce soak through.
  3. 🔹 PART 2 — MAKE THE TOFFEE SAUCE
Step 10 — Combine Sauce Ingredients
  1. In a small saucepan, add:
  2. Butter
  3. Brown sugar
  4. Heavy cream
  5. Cook over medium heat.
Step 11 — Simmer the Sauce
  1. Stir until butter melts.
  2. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Sauce will thicken and turn glossy.
Step 12 — Add Vanilla
  1. Remove from heat.
  2. Stir in vanilla extract.
  3. Sauce should be silky and pourable.
  4. 🔹 PART 3 — ASSEMBLE & SERVE
Step 13 — Pour Sauce Over Warm Pudding
  1. Spoon warm toffee sauce over the pudding cake.
  2. Let it soak for at least 5 minutes.
Step 14 — Serve with Extra Sauce
  1. Cut into squares or remove from ramekins.
  2. Add extra warm toffee sauce on top.
Step 15 — Optional Add-ons
  1. Keep it alcohol-free and pork-free:
  2. A scoop of vanilla ice cream
  3. Whipped cream
  4. Toasted nuts
  5. A dusting of cinnamon

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store covered for 4–5 days.
Freezer
Freeze cake and sauce separately for 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave slices 20–30 seconds.
Warm sauce gently before serving.
🥄 Variations
1. Sticky Caramel Pudding
Swap dates with 1 cup applesauce.
2. Cinnamon Sticky Pudding
Add extra cinnamon for deeper spice.
3. Coconut Sticky Toffee Pudding
Replace cream with coconut cream.
4. Nutty Toffee Pudding
Add chopped walnuts or pecans.
5. Chocolate Chip Sticky Pudding
Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
6. Nut-Free Version
Leave pudding plain — still amazing!
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I make it without dates?
It won’t be classic, but applesauce or mashed banana works.
2. Why use baking soda with dates?
It softens them and creates a silky texture.
3. Can I replace margarine for butter?
Yes — but butter gives richer caramel flavor.
4. Does the pudding taste like dates?
No — dates melt into a caramel-like flavor.
5. Can I make this sugar-free?
Use monk fruit brown sugar replacement.
6. Can I bake in cupcake tins?
Yes — 15–18 minutes bake time.
7. Should the pudding be served hot or cold?
Warm is best for maximum stickiness.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — perfect for parties.
9. Why is my pudding dense?
Too much flour — spoon and level properly.
10. Can I thicken the sauce more?
Simmer an extra 2–3 minutes.
🏁 Conclusion
This Classic Sticky Toffee Pudding is everything a comforting dessert should be—warm, soft, rich, sweet, and soaked in golden toffee sauce. With wholesome dates, buttery cake, creamy sauce, and no alcohol, it’s a family-friendly dessert with deep flavor and unforgettable texture. Perfect for holidays, winter nights, celebrations, or anytime you want a cozy dessert that melts in your mouth. One bite, and this pudding becomes a forever favorite!