Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the cozy tea rooms of England! This irresistible Sticky Toffee Pudding is not just a dessert; it's a warm, decadent experience that promises to melt hearts and satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. With its rich, caramel-soaked sponge and luxurious toffee sauce, this classic British pudding is about to become your new obsession – a dessert so divine, you'll want to keep the recipe a closely guarded secret!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: British
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for sauce)
- 1/4 cup butter (for sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish thoroughly with butter.
- Place chopped dates in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over the dates and sprinkle baking soda. Let stand for 10 minutes to soften the dates and allow them to absorb the water.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold the softened date mixture into the batter, ensuring even distribution. The batter will be slightly lumpy from the dates.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the pudding is baking, prepare the toffee sauce. In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, brown sugar, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
- Once the pudding is baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Poke several holes across the top of the warm pudding using a skewer or fork.
- Pour half of the warm toffee sauce over the pudding, allowing it to seep into the holes. Reserve the remaining sauce for serving.
- Serve the pudding warm, drizzled with additional toffee sauce. Optional: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Tips
- Date Preparation is Key: Ensure your dates are chopped finely and fully softened to create a smooth, moist texture in the pudding.
- Don't Overmix the Batter: Gently fold ingredients to keep the pudding light and tender. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense dessert.
- Temperature Matters: Use room temperature eggs and butter for better incorporation and a more even bake.
- Sauce Consistency: When making the toffee sauce, stir constantly and watch carefully to prevent burning. The sauce should be smooth and glossy.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve the pudding warm for the best experience. The contrast between the warm pudding and the rich toffee sauce is absolutely magical.
- Make-Ahead Tip: This dessert can be prepared in advance and reheated. Simply warm in the oven for 10-15 minutes before serving, and drizzle with fresh toffee sauce.
- Storage: If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving to restore its magical texture and warmth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 110mg
