Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe | Classic British Dessert

Name: Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe (Classic British Dessert)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 cup (150 g) pitted dates, finely chopped; ¾ cup (180 ml) boiling water; 1 tsp baking soda; ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup (150 g) dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter; 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar; 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

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Today, I will discuss one of my favorite British dessert recipes with you. It’s called Sticky Toffee Pudding, and it’s made with a soft date sponge cake and smothered in a homemade toffee sauce that’s buttery, glossy, and deeply caramelized. It’s the kind of comfort food dessert people crave during winter, holidays, and special family dinners.

Loved across the UK and now popular worldwide, sticky toffee pudding (also known as sticky date pudding) is one of the most beloved traditional English desserts. This dessert is now being served extensively among Christmas dessert recipes, holiday dessert ideas, and dinner party desserts.

Unlike overly sweet versions, this moist sticky toffee pudding balances sweetness perfectly, making it ideal for serving with vanilla ice cream, warm custard, or whipped cream. It’s also a favorite for make-ahead desserts, making it perfect for busy holidays and celebrations. So let’s find out how you can easily make this recipe at home.

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Yield: 8 Serving

Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe (Classic British Dessert)

Sticky Toffee Pudding is a rich, moist British dessert made with tender date sponge cake and drenched in a buttery caramel toffee sauce. This easy homemade sticky toffee pudding is perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or whenever you want a dessert that feels luxurious yet simple.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the Sticky Date Sponge

1 cup (150 g) pitted dates, finely chopped
¾ cup (180 ml) boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g) dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

For the Toffee Sauce

½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dates

Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F. Grease an 8-inch baking dish.
Place chopped dates in a bowl, pour boiling water over them, and stir in baking soda. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Batter

Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
Mix in the softened date mixture.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold gently into the wet mixture.

Step 4: Bake

Pour batter into prepared dish. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 5: Make Toffee Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar.
Add cream and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.

Step 6: Assemble

Poke holes in the warm pudding and pour half the toffee sauce over it. Serve warm with extra sauce.

Notes

Use Medjool dates for the richest flavor.
Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the sponge soft.
Sauce thickens as it cools; reheat gently before serving.
Make it restaurant-style by baking in ramekins.
For extra deliciousness, add bourbon or rum to the sauce.

Variations

Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding: Use plant-based butter, coconut cream, and flax eggs
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with gluten-free all-purpose flour
Low Sugar Option: Use coconut sugar or date syrup
Individual Puddings: Bake in muffin tins for portion control

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 736Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 20gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 454mgCarbohydrates: 109gFiber: 4gSugar: 74gProtein: 7g

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What Is Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Sticky toffee pudding is a classic British dessert made with a soft, moist sponge cake prepared using finely chopped dates and generously covered in a warm, buttery homemade toffee sauce. Despite the name, it isn’t a pudding in the American sense— it’s closer to a rich baked dessert cake that’s deeply comforting, indulgent, and perfect for cold weather, holidays, and special dinners.

This dessert is also widely known as sticky date pudding, especially outside the UK. What makes it stand out from other traditional dessert recipes is its ultra-moist texture, natural sweetness from dates, and the luxurious caramel-style sauce that soaks into the sponge after baking.

👉 In simple terms: Sticky toffee pudding is a warm date sponge cake served with rich toffee sauce—one of the most loved comfort food desserts in British cuisine and a top choice for holiday dessert ideas and dinner party desserts.

Traditionally, sticky toffee pudding is served hot and paired with vanilla ice cream, custard, or whipped cream, making it a high-demand recipe during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and winter celebrations. Because it can be made ahead and reheated, it’s also popular as a make-ahead dessert for gatherings.

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Step-by-Step Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Step 1: Soften the Dates (Key to a Moist Sponge)

Chopped dates soaking in hot water for sticky toffee pudding

Place finely chopped dates in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over them and stir in baking soda. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes.

This step is essential for creating that signature soft, tender texture found in the best sticky toffee pudding recipes. Softened dates blend smoothly into the batter and naturally sweeten the cake without making it dense.

Step 2: Cream Butter & Brown Sugar

Creaming butter and brown sugar for sticky toffee pudding batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.

Using brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deep caramel flavor, making this classic British dessert taste rich, warm, and indulgent—perfect for holiday dessert recipes and comfort food desserts.

Step 3: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients

Sticky toffee pudding batter being mixed

Gently mix the softened date mixture into the batter. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined.

Avoid overmixing—this keeps the sponge light, airy, and moist. This method is commonly used in traditional English pudding recipes for reliable results.

Step 4: Bake Until Soft & Springy

Sticky toffee pudding baking in the oven

Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake at 180°C / 350°F for 30–35 minutes. The pudding is ready when the top springs back lightly when touched.

This baking time ensures a perfectly cooked sticky date pudding that stays soft inside without becoming dry—ideal for dinner party desserts and make-ahead desserts.

Step 5: Make & Pour the Homemade Toffee Sauce

Warm toffee sauce being poured over sticky toffee pudding

In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Add cream and simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until thick and glossy. Finish with vanilla and a pinch of salt.

While the pudding is still warm, poke small holes and pour half of the hot toffee sauce over the top. This allows the sauce to soak in, creating the iconic sticky texture that makes this dessert so popular.

✔ This easy sticky toffee pudding recipe is perfect for Christmas desserts, Thanksgiving meals, and cozy winter evenings. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or custard for a restaurant-style dessert.

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Sticky Toffee Pudding Variations You’ll Want to Save

🍮 Mini Individual Sticky Toffee Puddings

Baking individual sticky toffee puddings in ramekins or muffin tins is perfect for holiday dessert tables, parties, and portion control. They bake faster, look elegant, and are ideal for dinner party desserts that feel restaurant-quality without extra effort.

🌱 Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding

This vegan sticky toffee pudding swaps butter for plant-based butter, eggs for flax eggs, and cream for coconut cream. The result is still rich, moist, and awesome—perfect for dairy-free dessert recipes and plant-based holiday baking.

🌾 Gluten-Free Sticky Toffee Pudding

A gluten-free sticky toffee pudding made with a quality gluten-free flour blend stays surprisingly soft and tender.

🥃 Boozy Sticky Toffee Pudding

Add bourbon, dark rum, or whiskey to the toffee sauce for a delicious adult dessert recipe. This version performs exceptionally well during Christmas and Thanksgiving desserts.

🍯 Low-Sugar Sticky Toffee Pudding

Reduce refined sugar by using date syrup or coconut sugar for a lighter sticky toffee pudding.

🍎 Apple Sticky Toffee Pudding

Adding finely chopped apples creates a seasonal twist that works beautifully for fall dessert recipes. It boosts moisture and adds natural sweetness, making it perfect for cozy baking and comfort food desserts.

👨‍🍳 Restaurant-Style Sticky Toffee Pudding

Bake the sponge, cut into neat rounds, and serve with hot toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream, and a drizzle finish. This restaurant-style sticky toffee pudding is ideal for special occasions and luxurious dessert presentations.

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Serving Suggestions for Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is one of those classic British desserts that instantly feels indulgent, comforting, and special. How you serve it can turn a simple homemade dessert into a restaurant-style, high-end dessert experience.

🍨 With Vanilla Ice Cream

Serving warm sticky toffee pudding with a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream is the most prefered and loved combination. The hot-and-cold contrast melts the ice cream into the rich caramel toffee sauce, making it perfect for holiday dessert recipes, Christmas dinners, and dinner party desserts.

🥄 With Warm Custard (Traditional British Style)

For an authentic traditional English dessert, serve sticky toffee pudding with thick, warm custard. This is a classic UK pairing and one of my favorite British pudding recipes and old-fashioned dessert recipes.

☁️ With Whipped Cream (Light & Elegant)

Lightly sweetened fresh whipped cream balances the richness of the pudding and toffee sauce. This option is ideal for those looking for easy dessert ideas that still feel awesome but not overly heavy.

🍮 Extra Toffee Sauce on Top

Drizzling extra homemade toffee sauce just before serving dramatically increases visual appeal and perceived value.

🎄 Holiday & Special Occasion Plating

For Christmas dessert recipes and festive occasions, serve individual portions with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a mint leaf.

🍽️ Make-It-a-Meal Dessert

Sticky toffee pudding pairs beautifully after hearty meals, making it one of the best comfort food desserts to serve after roasts, holiday dinners, or special family meals. It’s also a strong choice for make-ahead dessert recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is made with a soft date sponge cake using chopped dates, brown sugar, butter, eggs, and flour, then topped with a rich homemade toffee sauce made from butter, cream, and brown sugar. It’s one of the most loved classic British dessert recipes and a top choice for holiday dessert ideas and comfort food desserts.

Yes, they are essentially the same dessert. In the UK, it’s commonly called sticky toffee pudding, while in some countries it’s known as sticky date pudding. Both use dates for moisture and sweetness and are finished with a warm caramel or toffee sauce, making them popular traditional English desserts.

Absolutely. Sticky toffee pudding is one of the best make-ahead dessert recipes. You can bake the sponge cake up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and pour warm toffee sauce over the top just before serving. This makes it perfect for Christmas desserts, dinner parties, and holiday entertaining.

Dry sticky toffee pudding usually happens when the batter is overmixed or the cake is overbaked. Dates should be fully softened in hot water to create a moist sponge. Also, pouring some of the homemade toffee sauce over the pudding while it’s warm helps lock in moisture and gives that signature sticky texture.

Medjool dates are the best choice for sticky toffee pudding because they’re naturally soft, rich, and sweet. However, Deglet Noor dates also work well if soaked properly. Using quality dates improves both flavor and texture, which is essential for a bakery-style homemade dessert.

Yes, sticky toffee pudding freezes very well. Freeze the sponge cake without the sauce for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw, reheat, and add freshly warmed toffee sauce. This is a smart option for meal prep desserts and holiday baking planning.

Sticky toffee pudding is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, custard, or lightly sweetened whipped cream. These pairings balance the rich caramel flavor and are popular choices for restaurant-style desserts and high-end dinner party menus.

Sticky toffee pudding is rich but not overly sweet when made correctly. The dates provide natural sweetness, while the toffee sauce adds depth rather than sharp sugariness. This balance is why it’s considered one of the best classic dessert recipes for both casual and special occasions.

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