Sticky, gooey and spongy with a luxuriously delicious toffee flavor, this Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe, is made from scratch and one bite of it will have you hooked for life! A thoroughly and irresistibly delicious classic British dessert!
What is Sticky Toffee Pudding?
Sticky Toffee Pudding is a classic British dessert consisting of a moist brown sugar sponge cake made with chopped dates and is served drizzled with toffee sauce. Add a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of vanilla custard, or some vanilla ice cream and you have total dessert perfection. This cake is also popular in Australia and New Zealand where it’s known as sticky date pudding.
Dessert just doesn’t get any better than this! Unlike many of the other very old, traditional British recipes I’ve published, this one is a modern classic. Though thought to have originated more “recently” in the 1940’s, Sticky Toffee Pudding quickly became a popular dessert and today this date sponge cake drizzled with toffee sauce stands as one of Great Britain’s most iconic and beloved desserts.
Where Did Sticky Toffee Pudding Originate?Â
While Francis Coulson is commonly credited as having created it in the 1960’s at his Sharrow Bay Country House in the Lake District of England (where he was the first to make and sell it commercially), sticky toffee pudding’s origins go back a few decades earlier. Though there is some debate as to its exact origins, food historians believe it was first introduced by Patricia Martin, a hotel manager in Lancashire, in the 1940’s. Francis Coulson years later during an interview admitted that Mrs. Martin had given him the recipe and that he made some slight adaptations. So where did Mrs. Martin get it? It is believed that the recipe was shared with Mrs. Martin by two Canadian soldiers who were staying at her hotel during World War II. Years later her son reported that his mother had received it from a “Canadian friend.” In either case the finger points to Canada.
A Canadian origin makes sense because sticky toffee pudding is not like most other traditional dessert “puddings” in the British sense of the word. It isn’t steamed like Spotted Dick or Christmas Pudding, it isn’t baked in a pudding mold (it’s usually a sheet cake), and its batter is more like an American muffin than a traditional English sponge.
Sticky Toffee Pudding is also very similar to its Australian cousin, Sticky Date Pudding, which is also excellent.
In any case, having cherished it as a favorite national dessert for nearly 80 years and spreading its fame across the world, I think England has earned the right to celebrate Sticky Toffee Pudding as a quintessential British dessert. So to our Canadian friends we say “THANK YOU” for creating this delectable dessert and to our British friends for making it famous!
And of course in the end all the really matters is that this dessert is absolutely incredible and you absolutely must make it – pronto!
I was first introduced to Sticky Toffee Pudding when I lived in England. During those 6 wonderful years I was introduced to a great many things that I fell in love with, and sticky toffee pudding was one of them. My husband likewise lived in the UK for a couple of years as a young man and had this dessert many times, though only the store-bought versions. He’s been asking me for years to make him some and when I finally did he was in absolute heaven.
We’re confident you’re going to love it, too!
Cartmel:Â Home of “The Best Sticky Toffee Pudding in the World”
This past Summer we took our kids on a 3-week vacation to Great Britain where we toured Scotland, Wales and England. One of our stops in the Lake District was the ancient village of Cartmel.
And we went there for a very specific (and delicious) reason.
Besides being famous for its 12th century priory, Cartmel is also home to what they claim is “The Best Sticky Toffee Pudding in the World.”
The Cartmel Village Shop (below left) is delightfully quaint with a variety of delicious treats and gift items. They also make and sell handmade puddings made with 100% all-natural ingredients. You can choose from a variety of flavors including Sticky Ginger Pudding, Sticky Banana Pudding, Sticky Chocolate Pudding, Sticky Toffee Apple Crumble, Christmas Pudding, Lemon Drizzle Pudding and, of course, Sticky Toffee Pudding. We grabbed a Lemon Drizzle and Sticky Toffee Pudding and were very eager to dive in.
Once we got to our vacation cottage we heated it up, took it outside on the deck, and all four of us went at it with spoons, scooping it up with such vigor that scarcely a crumb or drop remained after 3 minutes. So good!
When we got back home from our vacation I went to work replicating Cartmel’s delicious sticky toffee pudding in my own kitchen.
In my version you will experience a wonderfully flavorful, tender, slightly chewy and moist date-infused cake with a mouthwatering toffee sauce.  Give it a try – we think it’s destined to become a regular part of your dessert lineup!
Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Let’s get started!
For this recipe you get to decide the shape of your cake.
For a fun and attractive presentation we’re making individual sticky toffee puddings using a king-sized/jumbo muffin pan. Alternatively, you can also bake it in a 8×8 inch cake pan (or slightly bigger) and just bake it a few minutes longer. Pour some of the toffee sauce over the cake (broil it briefly in the oven until bubbly if desired), cut and serve with extra toffee sauce on the side.
Preheat the oven 350 degrees F.
Coarsely chop the dates and place them in a bowl. Pour the boiling water over them and stir in the baking soda. Let the dates soak until cooled down. Using an immersion blender or placing them in a regular blender, puree the dates to make a chunky-smooth mixture (don’t puree it completely smooth).
In a large mixing bowl, cream the brown sugar and butter until smooth and pale.
Beat in the eggs and oil.
Add the black treacle and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Gradually beat in the flour mixture just until combined.
Add the chunky date puree and beat just until combined.
Generously butter an 8×8 inch baking pan. Spoon the batter into the pan, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Alternatively, butter a jumbo/king-sized muffin pan (holds roughly 1 cup).
Spoon the batter in until about 2/3 full.  Bake on the middle rack for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for a few minutes in the tins and then remove and place them on wire rack.
OPTIONAL: For a more caramelized and moist cake, add about 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1/4 tablespoon of butter in the bottom of the cake pan or each muffin mold before spooning in the batter. We highly recommend it!
Additionally, for an extra moist cake you can brush the cake with a little toffee sauce while the cake is still warm to allow it to absorb some of the sauce.
While the puddings are baking, prepare the English Toffee Sauce (this can also be made in advance and reheated).
Homemade English Toffee Sauce (click link for recipe)
Serve the puddings topped with the English Toffee Sauce and, if desired, some vanilla ice cream, vanilla custard, or a dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy!
Whether you’re serving it in square or muffin form, I promise you will! :)
For more delicious British, Welsh and Irish treats try our:
- Treacle Tart
- Spotted Dick
- Eccles Cakes
- Yorkshire Parkin
- Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Bread)
- Barmbrack (Irish Tea Bread)
- Mince Pies
- Lemon Curd
- Victoria Sponge Cake
And learn how to make your own Golden Syrup!
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Ingredients
- 6 ounces pitted dried dates , roughly chopped (for best flavor we recommend medjool dates)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (this is a very sweet cake, I prefer to reduce it to 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
- 2 large eggs , at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon neutral tasting oil (eg, avocado or canola)
- 1 tablespoon black treacle (can substitute dark molasses)
- 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Homemade English Toffee Sauce , for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Coarsely chop the dates and place them in a bowl. Pour the boiling water over them and stir in the baking soda. Let the dates soak until cooled down. Using an immersion blender or placing them in a regular blender, puree the dates to make a chunky-smooth mixture (don't puree it completely smooth).
- In a large mixing bowl cream the brown sugar and butter until smooth and pale.  Beat in the eggs and oil.  Add the black treacle and vanilla extract and beat until combined.In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Gradually beat in the flour mixture into the wet mixture just until combined.  Add the chunky date puree and beat just until combined.
- Generously butter a jumbo/king-sized muffin pan (holds roughly 1 cup). Spoon the batter in until about 2/3 full.  Bake the cakes on the middle rack for about 25 minutes (about 40 minutes if using the 8x8 inch cake pan - SEE NOTE) or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for a few minutes in the tins and then remove and place them on wire rack.Optional: For a more caramelized and moist cake, add about 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1/4 tablespoon butter in the bottom of each muffin mold before spooning in the batter (see blog post pictures). We highly recommend it!Additionally, for an extra moist cake you can brush the cake with a little toffee sauce while the cake is still warm to allow it to absorb some of the sauce.  Serve drizzled with the warm English Toffee Sauce and if desired some vanilla ice cream, vanilla custard, or some whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 30, 2018
Chelsea says
We’re seriously obsessed with this dessert! Soooo delicious!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rachael Yerkes says
Dang good! Obsessed with this!
Chrissie Baker says
Thank you Kimberly,
this recipe is the best My family love it. I love it. SO easy and SO delicious.
Natalie Loftus says
This was soooooo delicious!!! I made it exactly as written and wouldn’t change a thing, it is amazing! THANK YOU!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Natalie, thank you!
Kim says
I made these tonight with English Toffee sauce after we had your Slow Cooker Pot roast. They were amazing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wahooo!! That’s awesome, Kim, thanks so much!
Sharon West says
I made this pudding last week and can’t wait to make it again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Sharon! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Olsen says
My sweet tooth can hardly stand it either! . I am heading to the market to get the ingredients . Gonna try this tonight.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Lol, awesome Olsen! Happy eating! :)
Jeanette Encinas says
This recipe was delicious! I didn’t have large muffin pans so used the cake pan and it can out amazing! I forgot to add the brown sugar and butter to bottom but even without it, it was still moist. Great recipe- thanks!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jeanette, thank you!
Taylor W. says
This looks so delicious! Loving that toffee sauce on top!
Toffeeapple says
I have never, in my entire life, had sticky toffee pudding! Neither have I ever eaten Banoffee Pie. I am still not tempted, they seem far too sweet for my palate.
I was surprised to see you using Abram Lyle’s black treacle for the recipe!Toff
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I know what you mean, Toffeeapple, they are very sweet. A famous dessert in the USA that is over-the-top sweet is pecan pie. Just the thought of it makes me pucker and it’s rare that I’m able to get through a whole slice without feeling ill – it almost makes Sticky Toffee Pudding seem savory by comparison! :) Happy New Year!
Sabrina says
I love trying new desserts and this looks like it just jumped to the top of my list! That drizzle of toffee sauce is everything!
Alli says
Sticky toffee pudding is my weakness. This recipe was soooo good.
Tara says
This sounds wonderful, and your photos are just delightful. Can’t wait to make this for my family!
Bec says
I’ve wanted to make sticky toffee pudding since I heard Gordon Ramsey say it’s his favorite dessert. Thanks for the great instructions!
CatSnap says
This is perfect timing!
Right before the New Year and resolutions, a custom I do no subscribe to! (Though I probably should!)
My husband is British and though this recipe was invented after he was here in the states, it feels so English. I think it is the TOFFEE!
I was looking for a dessert recipe for New Years and this will be it! Along with your “Jägerschnitzel” for dinner.
I really appreciate your investigative prowess in the kitchen and with your well traveled and experienced palate, I trust that these will be delicious!
Very happy to have found your site and am looking forward to trying many of your recipes.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Jägerschnitzel and Sticky Toffee Pudding, now that’s my kind of New Years meal!! :) Thanks so much for your kind words, CatSnap, I’m thrilled you found us and hope you enjoy all the recipes you try. Happy New Year!