Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding is a classic British dessert that combines a rich, moist sponge cake with a luscious, gooey toffee sauce. This indulgent treat is beloved for its comforting, sweet flavors and its ability to satisfy even the strongest sweet tooth. Often served warm with a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a generous pour of extra toffee sauce, sticky toffee pudding is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion, especially during the colder months when you’re craving something cozy and decadent.
The foundation of sticky toffee pudding is a soft, moist sponge made with dates, which add natural sweetness and create a wonderfully dense texture. The dates are chopped and soaked in hot water, allowing them to soften and infuse the cake with a subtle richness. Once mixed with butter, flour, and sugar, the batter bakes into a tender, dark cake with a deep, caramel-like flavor. The dates not only contribute to the taste but also help to keep the sponge moist and tender.
The star of the show, however, is the toffee sauce. Made with butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and a splash of vanilla, the sauce is cooked until it thickens and becomes silky smooth. Once the cake is baked, it’s soaked with the warm toffee sauce, which seeps into the sponge, making it even more moist and adding layers of sweet, rich flavor. The result is a perfectly sticky, melt-in-your-mouth pudding that’s impossible to resist.
Sticky toffee pudding is best served warm, allowing the toffee sauce to remain luscious and gooey. It’s traditionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, which adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, sticky cake. For an extra touch of indulgence, some recipes call for additional toffee sauce drizzled over the top before serving.
This comforting, nostalgic dessert is a must-try for anyone who loves sweet, rich flavors. Whether you’re enjoying it at a festive meal, serving it as a dessert for family and friends, or simply treating yourself, Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding is a satisfying and unforgettable treat.

Ingredients
- 200 g pitted dates chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 250 milliliters water boiling
- 60 g butter softened
- 150 g brown sugar packed
- 2 unit eggs beaten
- 200 g self-raising flour sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 200 g dark brown sugar for the toffee sauce
- 200 milliliters heavy cream for the toffee sauce
- 100 g butter for the toffee sauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for the toffee sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish.
- Combine the chopped dates and baking soda in a bowl. Pour over the boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes to soften.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gently fold in the flour and the soaked date mixture until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the pudding is baking, prepare the toffee sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the dark brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the pudding is done, let it cool slightly. Serve warm with the toffee sauce drizzled generously over the top.
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I don’t know why people love this so much. It was okay, but kinda too sweet for me. Just my opinion.
I’ve never heard of this before but I tried it because my friend recommended it. Not my favorite, but I can see the appeal. A bit too rich for me.
This recipe is great but my pudding came out a bit dry. Maybe I overbaked or somethin. Next time I’ll watch it closer!
Too much butter! Is there a healthier version? My waistline can’t take it 😉
Just made this for the first time and wow, it’s AMAZING! I added nuts for crunch. Yum! 🙌
Really? I tried it and found it way too sweet. Maybe it’s just me, but it was too rich.
Glad you enjoyed it! Adding nuts sounds like a great twist. I might try that next time!
I loved making this! Used dates from the farmer’s market. Impressive and people thought I was a chef!
I don’t know, my cake turned out more like a brick. Could be my oven though? Not sure! 😕
A brick? Yikes! Maybe it was overcooked or too much flour? 😳 Baking can be tricky sometimes!
Sounds like somethin’ went wrong! Maybe check your oven temp next time? It can really mess things up! 🍰
Best dessert ever! Super easy to make and tastes divine. My family devoured it!
super good! my family loved it, especially the sauce!
I tried it and added nuts like walnuts, yum! Still tastes like sticky toffee pudding but with a crunch!
Wow, this is a lot of work for a cake, I think I’ll stick to store bought! 😅
Why is it called sticky? The sauce was kinda runny. Anyone else had this problem? 🤷♂️
Quick and easy! Love the caramel sauce part! Even my kids liked it, which is something.
I was skeptical at first. It seemed too sweet, but after trying it, I was surprised how good it tastes! Just be careful with the sugar.
Too sweet? I thought it was perfect! Maybe I have a sweet tooth? 🤔
I’m glad you gave it a chance! It’s one of my favorites. Just have a glass of milk nearby!
This sticky toffee pudding is simply divine! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. Will definitely make it again!
This pudding is to die for! So rich and delicious. My whole family loved it! 🍮
Looks good, but isn’t it just too sweet? I might try it with less sugar next time.
Absolutely agree! This is my go-to dessert for family dinners. Sooo good! 😍
Isn’t sticky toffee pudding supposed to be healthy? I feel like I gained 5 pounds just looking at it.
Lol, it’s definitely not a health food! But it’s sooo good. Just enjoy it in moderation! 🤤
Healthy? Nah, that’s a dessert! Just accept the calories and eat happy! 🍰
Um, is this even a real recipe? Doesn’t seem right to me. Plus, what’s with the dates?! Why not just use chocolate?
I don’t think dates can replace chocolate… Just sounds weird to me. What’s next, broccoli in cookies?
Actually, dates give it a lovely flavor! It’s a classic recipe for a reason. You should try it before dismissing it!
The dates make this so unique. I’ve never had anything like it before! Great recipe! 🎉
Super easy recipe, but it needs more vanilla! The sauce is too sweet for my taste. 😬