Name: Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, roughly chopped; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup lightly salted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing; 1/4 cup dark brown sugar; 1/4 cup light brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1/3 cup milk; 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour, plus extra for dusting; 2/3 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup dark brown sugar; 1/3 cup lightly salted butter

If you’ve ever craved a dessert that’s both comforting and richly indulgent, I have just the thing for you. This Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe is one of my all-time favorites, and for good reason! It’s a moist, tender date cake smothered in warm, buttery toffee sauce that will have you coming back for seconds—no judgment here. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it over and over again.

💚

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Moist and Flavorful: The soaked Medjool dates create a natural sweetness and moisture that makes the pudding beautifully tender.
Simple Ingredients, Stunning Results: You probably already have what you need in your pantry to whip this up any time.
Versatile Serving Options: Whether you serve it in a big pan or individual ramekins, it’s a showstopper every time.
Rich, Decadent Toffee Sauce: The sauce is so luscious, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything, not just the pudding.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish with a thick, brown pudding-like dessert inside, partially eaten from one corner. The top layer is smooth and glossy with four large square sections visible. Below this top layer, a lighter, creamy caramel-colored layer blends into the empty part of the dish that has some sauce streaks. To the left, a white bowl holds a scoop of vanilla ice cream with some sauce poured over it, and a spoon is in the bowl. Nearby, a small white pitcher contains more sauce, and a white cloth with black stripes is placed under some dark brown dates. A whisk with a wooden handle lays on a white marbled surface next to the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a part in creating that perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and flavor. I love how the Medjool dates soak up the boiling water and baking soda, breaking down to create a sticky, caramel-like base. The dual brown sugars give depth to the cake and the sauce, while the butter adds richness without overpowering.

Medjool Dates: Pick soft, ripe ones for the best sweetness and moisture.
Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the dates and add a subtle lift to the pudding.
Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances the warm flavors beautifully.
Lightly Salted Butter: Using salted butter adds just the right touch of saltiness to balance the sweetness.
Dark and Light Brown Sugar: Combining both gives complexity and a lovely caramel note.
Eggs: Make sure they’re at room temperature for smooth blending.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps bring the batter together.
Self-Rising Flour: If you don’t have self-rising, you can make your own by adding baking powder and salt to plain flour.
Heavy Cream: For that irresistible, glossy toffee sauce finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe, and you might too! It’s such a flexible dessert—once you get the base down, you can play around with it to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Gluten-Free Variation: I’ve swapped self-rising flour with a gluten-free blend plus a pinch of baking powder, and it still comes out deliciously moist.
Vegan Option: Replace butter and cream with plant-based alternatives and eggs with flax eggs—just be sure to check for flavors that complement the dates.
Add Spices: My family goes crazy when I throw in a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, cozy twist.
Mini Puddings: Making this in small ramekins is perfect for dinner parties—it feels fancy and makes serving a breeze.

How to Make Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Soak and Prepare the Dates

This is a crucial step that makes all the difference. Pour boiling water over your chopped Medjool dates and stir in the baking soda, then let this mixture rest for about 10 minutes. I like to mash it lightly with a fork after adding the vanilla extract—it creates this luscious paste that gives the pudding its signature sticky texture. Don’t skip soaking; it’s what makes this recipe shine!

Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Dish

While your dates are soaking, preheat your oven to 350°F. I usually grease a 9 x 13-inch dish and line the bottom with parchment to prevent sticking. If you’re into portion control (or hosting guests), butter and flour some small ramekins and line them with parchment circles. Both ways work beautifully!

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars, Then Add the Wet Ingredients

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat your softened butter with dark and light brown sugars until creamy and fluffy—this usually takes a few minutes. Next, add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each to keep the batter even. Then stir in the milk and your date mixture. You might notice it looks a little curdled or split here; don’t panic! That’s totally normal and will fix itself once you add the flour.

Step 4: Fold in the Flour and Bake

Sift your self-rising flour over the mixture and gently fold it in. Be careful not to overmix; just combine everything until smooth. Pour the batter into your prepared dish or ramekins, smoothing out the tops. Pop it in the oven—35 minutes for the big dish, 25 minutes for ramekins. Keep an eye on it! The pudding is done when it’s golden, risen, and a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Step 5: Make the Toffee Sauce

While the pudding bakes, gently warm the heavy cream, dark brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan on low heat. Stir frequently until everything melts into a glossy, smooth sauce. The smell alone is worth it—trust me.

Step 6: Serve It Up!

Once your pudding is out of the oven, spoon half of that golden toffee sauce over the top and let it soak in for 10 minutes. If you’ve baked in a large dish, cut it into 8 squares. Serve warm with the remaining sauce on the side. I personally love adding a dollop of crème fraîche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—pure heaven.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe

Date Soaking Precision: Don’t rush the soaking—giving the dates 10 minutes to soften with baking soda really unlocks their flavor and texture.
Don’t Worry About a ‘Split’ Batter: When you add the wet ingredients, it might look separated, but trust the process—it bakes up perfectly every time.
Parchment Paper Magic: Lining your baking dish or ramekins with parchment makes removing the pudding effortless and keeps it from sticking.
Warm Serving is Key: Serve the pudding and sauce warm to really highlight those rich, gooey textures; cold pudding just doesn’t do it justice.

How to Serve Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe

A white bowl on a white marbled surface holds two scoops of smooth, pale vanilla ice cream on one side, with a thick, dark brown dessert base beside it. A woman's hand pours warm caramel sauce from a white small pitcher, the caramel flowing in a thick stream onto the dark dessert. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl. In the background, a white baking dish with the same dark dessert is slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When I serve this pudding, I like to keep it simple so the flavors shine. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a pretty touch, but my go-to is always a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of crème fraîche right on top. The cool creaminess contrasts perfectly with the warm, sticky cake and sauce.

Side Dishes

This pudding is quite rich, so I usually pair it with something light like a simple green tea or a refreshing mint tea. If you want to round out a meal, a crisp fruit salad or some tangy Greek yogurt works well to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served individual sticky toffee puddings in mini ramekins topped with toasted nuts or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for contrast. Another fun idea is layering spoonfuls of pudding and toffee sauce with whipped cream in clear glasses to make a fancy parfait-style dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pudding covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. It holds moisture well and actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors develop.

Freezing

When I freeze the pudding, I like to cut it into portions first and wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and then foil. This helps keep them freezer-fresh up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the pudding in the microwave for about 30–45 seconds or warm gently in a low oven. Then, of course, I drizzle warm toffee sauce over it again. It’s just as heavenly the second time around.

FAQs

Can I make this Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the pudding batter and toffee sauce a day ahead. Bake the pudding fresh or bake it earlier and gently reheat before serving with warm toffee sauce. This saves time on busy days and flavors actually deepen when rested.
What can I use if I don’t have self-rising flour?

Great question! You can make a substitute by combining 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sift this together before adding it to your batter for the same lift and tenderness.
Is this recipe suitable for dietary modifications like gluten-free or vegan?

Yes! For gluten-free, swap the flour with a gluten-free blend and baking powder. For vegan, replace butter with vegan margarine, use coconut cream or plant-based alternatives for heavy cream, and make flax eggs instead of regular eggs.
Why does the batter look ‘split’ before baking?

When you mix the wet ingredients, the batter might appear curdled or split—that’s totally normal because of the combination of butter, eggs, and date puree. Once the flour is gently folded in, the mixture will come together and bake into a beautiful pudding.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely feel this Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce Recipe is a game-changer when you want a comforting dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I’ve made it countless times for gatherings and quiet nights alike, and it never disappoints. Try it yourself—you’ll find it’s easier to make than you think and impossible not to love. So grab your apron, dig in, and prepare to impress!