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Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding

Amber
A foolproof, incredibly moist traditional British dessert featuring a date-infused sponge cake drenched in a warm, buttery caramel toffee sauce. This easy recipe skips the complicated water baths and delivers restaurant-quality decadence in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 9 servings
Calories 485 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x9-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Medium saucepan

Ingredients
  

Date Sponge

  • 8 ounces medjool dates pitted and chopped
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.33 cup butter room temperature
  • 0.66 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1.66 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt

Toffee Sauce

  • 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 0.5 cup butter
  • 0.75 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cup chopped walnuts optional

Instructions
 

  • Soften the Dates: Place chopped dates and baking soda in a bowl. Pour boiling water over the top. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, then mash into a paste.
  • Cream the Butter and Sugar: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and molasses.
  • Combine Wet and Dry: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir in the mashed date mixture (including the soaking liquid) until combined.
  • Bake the Sponge: Pour batter into the prepared dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
  • Simmer the Toffee Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cream, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Stir in vanilla.
  • The Ultimate Soak: Poke holes all over the warm cake with a skewer. Pour half of the hot toffee sauce over the top. Let soak for 10 minutes before serving with the remaining sauce.

Notes

Always serve this dessert warm. If making ahead of time, reheat the sponge and the sauce separately before serving for the best texture.
Keyword date sponge cake, easy sticky toffee pudding recipe, toffee sauce