Sticky Toffee Pudding — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

The dates are what make the sponge dark and fudgy, so soak them in hot water until soft and blend them into the batter. The toffee sauce is cooked separately from butter, brown sugar, and cream, then poured over so it sinks in while the cake is hot.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 puddings

Dried dates

Medjool or deglet, soaked soft and pureed, give the sponge its moisture and caramel depth.

1 cup

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Flour

The structure of the sponge; self-raising or plain with a little baking soda.

1 1/2 cups

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Brown sugar

Sweetens the sponge and, cooked with cream, makes the toffee sauce.

1 1/2 cups

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Butter

Creamed into the batter and melted into the sauce.

3/4 cup

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Eggs

Two eggs bind the batter.

2 eggs

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Heavy cream

Simmered with butter and brown sugar for the toffee sauce.

1 cup

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Baking soda

A pinch in the hot date water softens the dates and lightens the sponge.

1 tsp

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The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Air fryerOne-potSheet pan

The Method

Soak the datesCover the chopped dates with 1 cup boiling water and a pinch of baking soda, let sit 10 min, then blend to a paste.
Make the batterCream 1/4 cup butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar, beat in the eggs, then fold in the flour and the date paste.
BakeDivide into buttered molds or a pan and bake at 350F for 30-35 min until a skewer comes out clean.
Cook the sauceSimmer the remaining butter, brown sugar, and cream 3-4 min until it thickens and turns glossy.
Soak and servePoke the warm cakes, pour over half the sauce so it soaks in, and serve with the rest on top.

The Toolkit

Baking pan · Blender · Saucepan · Hand mixer · Mixing bowls · Rubber spatula

Straight Answers

Can you make Sticky Toffee Pudding in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Sticky Toffee Pudding? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Sticky Toffee Pudding ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Sticky Toffee Pudding gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Sticky Toffee Pudding vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

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Sticky Toffee Pudding, and where to source it