Sinful Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Cozy Homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe for Sweet Souls

Dessert lovers swoon over this decadent sticky toffee pudding recipe that delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Rich, moist dates create the foundation of this classic British treat.

Warm caramel sauce cascades over a tender cake, promising an indulgent experience with every spoonful.

Sweet and slightly sticky, the pudding melts in your mouth with intense depth of flavor.

Originating from the rolling hills of England, this dessert has charmed generations with its simple yet luxurious profile.

Each bite promises a symphony of sweetness that connects you to traditional culinary craftsmanship.

Grab your apron and get ready to impress with this irresistible dessert that turns an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 345 kcal

Servings: 9

Sticky Toffee Pudding Ingredient Breakdown

For Cake Base:
  • Butter: Brings richness and tender texture to the pudding, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
  • Baking Soda: Creates light and airy structure, ensuring soft cake consistency.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with caramelization and moisture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure to the cake.
  • Vanilla: Adds depth and aromatic warmth to the dessert.
  • Flour: Creates the fundamental cake structure, choose all-purpose for consistent results.
  • Prunes: Adds natural sweetness and moisture, provides subtle fruity undertones.
  • Hot Water: Helps soften prunes and creates a smoother batter.
For Toffee Sauce:
  • Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for the sauce.
  • Cream: Adds luxurious texture and silky consistency.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel flavor and glossy appearance.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies sauce's complex flavors.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Whipped Cream, Heavy Cream: Adds cool, creamy contrast to warm pudding.

What to Use When Making Sticky Toffee Pudding

  • Food Processor: Essential for mixing pudding batter smoothly and quickly.
  • Ramekins (6 x 4-ounce): Perfect for individual servings and even baking.
  • Baking Tray: Supports ramekins during oven baking.
  • Medium Saucepan: Key for preparing rich toffee sauce.
  • Whisk: Helps blend toffee sauce ingredients evenly.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Sharp Knife: Used for slicing puddings horizontally.
  • Broiler: Creates final caramelized, sticky toffee top.
  • Plates: For serving the delicious dessert.

Cooking Up Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ease

  • Oven Preparation Kitchen Warmup

Set your oven to a toasty temperature and prepare small baking dishes with a light spray of cooking oil.

  • Pudding Base Creation

Blend soft ingredients together in a food processor until smooth, creating a rich and creamy mixture with chopped dried fruits and warm liquid.

  • Baking Magic

Carefully fill small dishes with batter and bake until the tops are gently set and bounce back when touched softly.

  • Heavenly Sauce Crafting

In a medium pan, melt butter and combine cream with rich brown sugar, whisking until the mixture transforms into a silky, golden sauce.

  • Final Assembly

Split each pudding carefully and layer with warm toffee sauce. Return to oven for a quick caramelization under high heat, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  • Serving Delight

Plate the warm puddings and drizzle with extra sauce. Add a dollop of soft cream for extra indulgence if desired.

Tweaks That Work for Sticky Toffee Pudding

  • Prepare the pudding batter and toffee sauce a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time and enhance flavor development.
  • Replace prunes with dates or dried figs for a different fruity depth, creating a personalized twist on the classic dessert.
  • Experiment with international toppings like caramel-roasted pecans, sea salt flakes, or a sprinkle of cardamom to elevate the traditional recipe.
  • Substitute butter with coconut oil and use non-dairy cream alternatives like coconut or almond cream to make this indulgent dessert accessible to more dietary preferences.

Serving Sticky Toffee Pudding at Its Best

  • Serve with Cool Cream Contrast: Top each pudding with a dollop of cold whipped cream to balance the warm, rich toffee sauce, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
  • Elevate with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted chopped almonds or pecans over the pudding for an extra layer of texture and nutty depth that complements the sweet toffee.
  • Pair with Afternoon Tea: Enjoy these individual puddings as a decadent accompaniment to a classic English tea, allowing the sweet treat to shine alongside a warm, comforting brew.
  • Create Elegant Plating: Drizzle additional toffee sauce in an artistic pattern on the plate, placing the pudding strategically to showcase its glossy, caramel-like appearance.

Preserving the Goodness of Sticky Toffee Pudding

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store cooled sticky toffee pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover each ramekin tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption.
  • Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual puddings separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds before serving.
  • Sauce Separation Strategy: Keep toffee sauce in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Gently reheat in a saucepan or microwave, stirring occasionally to restore smooth consistency.
  • Serve with Freshness: Revive cold puddings by warming them briefly in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 5-7 minutes. Drizzle with fresh warm toffee sauce just before serving to restore that delightful, just-baked texture and shine.
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Sinful Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Sinful Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe


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4.5 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Mesmerizing sticky toffee pudding celebrates British culinary heritage with its rich, caramel-drenched sponge. Dark, moist dates create a luxurious base complemented by buttery toffee sauce, promising pure indulgence you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup prunes, pitted and chopped
  • ¾ cup plus 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (120 ml) hot water
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup plus 1 tsp dark brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup plus 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsps cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Activate the oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat ramekins with nonstick spray and arrange on a baking tray.
  2. Cake Mixing: Combine butter, baking soda, salt, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and flour in a food processor. Pulse until ingredients are just blended, avoiding over-mixing.
  3. Batter Development: Incorporate chopped prunes and hot water, pulsing briefly to create a nearly smooth mixture with subtle fruit fragments.
  4. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter into ramekins, filling two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes until tops become firm and elastically respond to light touch.
  5. Toffee Sauce Creation: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in heavy cream, brown sugar, and salt, bringing the mixture to a gentle bubble.
  6. Sauce Refinement: Reduce heat, simmer for 3-4 minutes while stirring, developing a rich, glossy toffee consistency.
  7. Pudding Assembly: Slice each pudding horizontally. Return bottom halves to ramekins, drizzle with toffee sauce, then replace top layers.
  8. Caramelization: Position ramekins under broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a bubbly, caramelized surface.
  9. Serving: Transfer puddings to plates, generously coating with additional toffee sauce. Optionally crown with whipped cream or a cream splash.

Notes

  • Precise Timing Matters: Monitor puddings closely during baking and broiling stages to prevent overcooking or burning, as these delicate desserts can quickly turn from perfect to burnt.
  • Fruit Integration Technique: Pulse prunes until small fragments remain visible, ensuring a moist texture and even distribution throughout the cake without creating a completely smooth batter.
  • Sauce Consistency Check: Whisk toffee sauce continuously and watch for bubbling and thickening, which indicates the perfect caramelization and prevents burning or separation.
  • Broiler Positioning Strategy: Place ramekins 4 inches from broiler element and watch carefully for 1-2 minutes to achieve a sticky, caramelized surface without scorching the delicate pudding.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking, Broiling
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 345
  • Sugar: 37 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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