Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe — Heaven on a Plate!

Due to a cooking issue with my kids’ fish and chips (long story), I ended up having to request my dessert “to go” which is not common practice at such restaurants in the Highlands of Scotland. They didn’t have a plastic spoon or fork to give me, so I had to eat the luscious, fresh cream-topped dessert with my fingers while my husband drove! Did I have any complaints? Not one. It was the messiest, most delicious dessert I think I’ve ever had!

Another delicious Scottish dessert: Cranachan

Of course, upon my return to the US, I immediately looked up a sticky toffee pudding recipe to try to re-create this heavenly treat. The first recipe I made tasted so much like the one in Scotland, I’ve stuck to this sticky toffee pudding recipe with only a few changes of my own. (Mostly, like adding Drambuie to the sticky toffee sauce–talk about gilding the lily!) Note: if you hear of sticky date cake, it’s the same thing.

Searching for a “sticky toffee pudding recipe without dates”?

1. The first thing I want to tell you is that I HATE dates. Truly, I abhor them. Since I was a little girl, there’s something about the sticky texture and the flavor that I really dislike immensely. 
2. I LOVE sticky toffee pudding made WITH dates! It’s true. You don’t taste the dates in this dessert, I promise you as a fellow date-hater! 
3. Please don’t try to make a sticky toffee pudding recipe without dates! Honestly, it won’t taste the same and you’ll be missing out. It’s the equivalent to making an apple pie without apples? Silly, right?

This recipe was my inspiration for making STICKY TOFFEE PORRIDGE, a recipe I made for the World Porridge Championship Speciality Competition in Scotland in 2014, and won!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming: a sticky toffee pudding recipe with dates! 😜 

Love all things toffee and caramel? Try this delicious and authentic crème caramel from my pal, Jill!

What Is Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Contrary to what you may think if you are in the US, this dessert is a cake covered in a toffee sauce, not a pudding that’s eaten in a bowl with a spoon. Pudding = Dessert in the UK, and that is why it’s called sticky toffee pudding. However, the sauce is more like caramel than toffee, too.

Searching for a perfect Scottish shortbread recipe? This is it: 3 ingredients, as it should be.

Is This as Good as Gordon Ramsay’s Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe?

In one word, YES! I have had Gordon Ramsay’s sticky toffee pudding at the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt in Enniskerry, Ireland, and this recipe could absolutely pass as the same as Chef Ramsay’s version. You won’t be disappointed, trust me!

Is Figgy Pudding the Same as Sticky Toffee Pudding?

No, figgy pudding is the same as Christmas pudding. or plum pudding, seen in the photo below. Figgy or plum pudding is a rich, fruit-filled dessert that is steamed on the stove top and set alight before serving on Christmas day.

While sticky toffee pudding is a one layer, or individual date cake that is served with a toffee sauce poured over the top. It’s quite decadent, and honestly, many people say it’s their very favorite dessert!

Scrape sides of bowl often.

 Add 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down the bowl.

Add half of flour and baking powder and beat to blend.

Next, add the remaining 2 eggs, one at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Continue scraping down sides of bowl, often. Now add the remaining flour and beat until blended.

Combine instant coffee and baking soda in small bowl.

Pour into date mixture, stirring to dissolve coffee granules. It will froth slightly.

Add the date mixture to batter and mix well until evenly combined.

Pour the batter into prepared pan. I have found that placing about 1 cup of batter, into another small pan works also. The cake doesn’t rise as high, which means there is no need to level the top.

Bake the Cake.

Place on rimmed baking sheet and bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.  It will look like this:

Let the cake cool in the pan. After it has cooled, you can level off the top of the cake if necessary. Carefully remove the cake from the dish, then level and remove the top. I like using a cake leveler. Place the cake back into the pan. Poke holes all over the cake with a skewer or toothpick.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer sauce until reduced to 1 3/4 cups (12 oz), stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. If adding the Drambuie, add it after taking the sauce off the heat.

When cake is cool and caramel sauce is still warm, but not too hot, pour about half of the sauce over the cake.

Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate, without covering. After an hour or so, when the sauce has become firm, cover the dessert with cling film (once cool the plastic won’t stick to it.)

When serving, cut a piece and heat in microwave until the caramel melts; the dessert should be hot and steaming.

Serve with the reserved, warm sticky toffee sauce. Additionally, this can be topped with freshly whipped cream which could be referred to as “gilding the lily”!

Can you Freeze Sticky Toffee Pudding

Yes! If you like, you can freeze individual pieces of sticky toffee pudding so you won’t be tempted to eat too much the first time. Incidentally, not only does it freeze incredibly well, it’s one of those dishes that is actually best when reheated in the microwave. It comes out hot, moist and steamy!

As they say in Scotland, “Ye cannae whack it!” Translation: “You can’t beat it!”

 

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