BEST Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe!

BEST Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe! is a medium British recipe that serves 8. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Donal Skehan on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 55 min | Total: 1 hr 30 min

Cost: $21.88 total, $2.74 per serving

Ingredients

  • 150 g Unsalted Butter (softened, cut into cubes)
  • 150 g Light Brown Sugar (packed)
  • 2 Eggs (large, at room temperature)
  • 30 ml Black Treacle (also called molasses if unavailable)
  • 30 ml Golden Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 150 g Plain Flour (sifted)
  • 200 g Pitted Dates (roughly chopped)
  • 250 ml Water
  • 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
  • 200 g Dark Brown Sugar (packed, for sauce)
  • 100 g Unsalted Butter (for sauce, cut into cubes)
  • 200 ml Heavy Cream (full‑fat)
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt (fine sea salt for salted caramel)

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar

    Place softened butter and light brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, pale and fluffy.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Add Eggs

    Add one egg, beat until fully incorporated, then add the second egg and repeat. The batter should stay smooth and glossy.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Incorporate Treacle, Golden Syrup and Vanilla

    Pour in the black treacle, golden syrup and vanilla extract. Mix briefly until just combined.

    Time: PT1M

  4. Fold in Flour

    Add the sifted plain flour to the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until no flour streaks remain.

    Time: PT1M

  5. Prepare Date Mixture

    Roughly chop the dates and place them in a saucepan with 250 ml water. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2‑3 minutes, then stir in the bicarbonate of soda. The mixture will foam briefly.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium heat

  6. Combine Date Mixture with Batter

    While the date mixture is still hot, pour it into the batter and fold gently until fully incorporated. The batter will look loose and dark.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Prepare Baking Dish and Transfer Batter

    Butter an 8×8‑inch baking dish. Pour the batter into the dish and smooth the top with a spatula.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Bake the Pudding

    Place the dish in a pre‑heated oven and bake at 160 °C for about 45 minutes, or until the edges are set, the centre has a slight wobble and the top is golden brown.

    Time: PT45M

    Temperature: 160°C

  9. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

    In a clean saucepan, combine dark brown sugar, 100 g butter, golden syrup and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Heat over medium‑high until the butter melts and the mixture bubbles without any grainy sugar. Reduce to low heat and whisk in the heavy cream; simmer for 1‑2 minutes until thickened. Finally stir in the sea salt.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Medium‑high then low

  10. Finish and Serve

    Remove the pudding from the oven. While still warm, pour the hot salted caramel sauce over the top, letting it soak in. Serve each slice with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and an optional pinch of sea salt.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
5 g
Carbohydrates
55 g
Fat
12 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian

Allergens: Eggs, Dairy, Gluten

Last updated: April 15, 2026

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BEST Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe!

Recipe by Donal Skehan

A classic British sticky toffee pudding made with dates, butter, brown sugar and a rich salted caramel sauce, served warm with vanilla ice cream. This comforting dessert is moist, dense and drenched in a sweet‑salty sauce – perfect for a cozy treat.

MediumBritishServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
15m
Prep
1h
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 25m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$21.88
Total cost
$2.74
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy
  • Add hot date‑bicarbonate mixture to batter without curdling
  • Bake until edges are set but centre still has a slight wobble
  • Cook caramel sauce until completely smooth before adding cream

Safety Warnings

  • Hot caramel sauce can cause severe burns – handle with care.
  • Use oven mitts when removing the baking dish from the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Sticky Toffee Pudding in British cuisine?

A

Sticky toffee pudding originated in the UK in the 1970s and quickly became a beloved comfort dessert, often served in pubs and restaurants. Its combination of dates, caramel and a warm sponge reflects traditional British sweet flavors and the love of indulgent puddings.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Sticky Toffee Pudding in the United Kingdom?

A

While the classic version uses dates and a caramel sauce, some regions add treacle, ginger or whisky to the batter. In Scotland, a drizzle of whisky‑infused sauce is popular, whereas in Wales you might find a hint of orange zest.

cultural
Q

How is Sticky Toffee Pudding traditionally served in British homes and restaurants?

A

It is usually served warm, cut into generous squares, drenched with hot salted caramel sauce and accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of clotted cream. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top is a common finishing touch.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Sticky Toffee Pudding traditionally associated with in British culture?

A

Sticky toffee pudding is a popular dessert for family gatherings, holiday meals (especially Christmas and Easter), and as a comforting treat after a cold winter day. It also appears on many restaurant dessert menus as a signature sweet.

cultural
Q

What makes Sticky Toffee Pudding special or unique in British dessert cuisine?

A

Its signature moist date‑laden sponge combined with a rich, buttery salted caramel sauce creates a sweet‑salty contrast that is both comforting and indulgent, setting it apart from other British puddings like treacle or bread pudding.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Sticky Toffee Pudding at home?

A

Common errors include over‑mixing the batter (which can make it tough), under‑baking (resulting in a soggy centre), and adding the hot date mixture too quickly, which can curdle the eggs. Follow the critical steps and keep an eye on the wobble test in the centre.

technical
Q

Why does this Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe use black treacle and golden syrup instead of regular molasses or corn syrup?

A

Black treacle provides a deep, slightly bitter richness that balances the sweet dates, while golden syrup adds a smooth, buttery sweetness. Together they create the authentic, dark caramel flavour that defines a classic sticky toffee pudding.

technical
Q

Can I make Sticky Toffee Pudding ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Bake the pudding a day ahead, let it cool, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently in a low oven before serving and pour freshly warmed caramel sauce over it. The sauce itself can be made up to a week in advance and kept in the fridge.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the Sticky Toffee Pudding is done baking?

A

The edges should be set and lightly golden, while the centre should have a slight wobble when the dish is shaken. The surface will look glossy from the caramelised batter, indicating it’s perfectly cooked.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Donal Skehan specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Donal Skehan focuses on approachable home cooking, featuring quick, flavorful recipes from around the world, along with meal‑planning tips, grocery hauls and kitchen hacks for everyday cooks.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Donal Skehan's approach to British cooking differ from other British cooking channels?

A

Donal Skehan blends classic British comfort dishes with modern, streamlined techniques and clear visual instructions, often using fewer ingredients and time‑saving shortcuts while still preserving authentic flavors, unlike some channels that stick strictly to traditional methods.

channel

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