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Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 146 reviews

Classic British Sticky Toffee Pudding featuring a moist date cake soaked with a rich, homemade sticky toffee sauce. This comforting dessert is perfect served warm with whipped cream and a drizzle of luscious caramel sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 1 ¼ cups Medjool dates, finely chopped
  • 8 oz boiling water
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup packed golden brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, preferably organic
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
  • 1 pinch salt

Sticky Toffee Sauce

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, preferably organic
  • 1 tbsp Drambuie liqueur (optional, or good quality whisky)
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven and pan: Do not preheat the oven yet. Butter a baking pan (preferably a light-colored one) thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  2. Soak the dates: Place chopped dates in a small bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over them, and let the mixture cool for about 1 hour to soften the dates.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
  4. Preheat the oven: Now preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter and golden brown sugar in a large bowl until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl often.
  6. Add eggs: Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the bowl. Then add half of the flour and baking powder mixture and beat to combine.
  7. Incorporate remaining eggs and flour: Add the remaining 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Continue scraping the bowl. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just blended.
  8. Prepare coffee soda mixture: In a small bowl, combine instant coffee granules and baking soda. Pour this into the soaked date mixture, stirring to dissolve the coffee granules; it will froth slightly.
  9. Blend dates into batter: Add the date mixture to the cake batter and mix until evenly combined. Optionally, use an immersion blender for a smoother texture.
  10. Bake the cake: Pour batter into the prepared pan, place it on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  11. Cool and prepare the cake: Let the cake cool in the pan. If uneven, level the top carefully using a cake leveler. Remove the cake from the pan and place it back; poke holes all over with a skewer or toothpick.
  12. Make sticky toffee sauce: In a heavy medium saucepan, bring cream, brown sugar, and butter to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce reduces to about 1 ¾ cups (12 oz), around 15 minutes. If using Drambuie, stir it in after removing from heat.
  13. Soak the cake: While the cake is cool and the sauce warm but not hot, pour about half the sticky toffee sauce over the cake. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate uncovered for about an hour until the sauce firms up. After cooling, cover with cling film (plastic won’t stick once cool).
  14. Serve: Cut a portion of the pudding and warm it in the microwave until steaming and the caramel melts. Serve with the warmed reserved sticky toffee sauce and freshly whipped cream.

Notes

  • Using a light-colored baking pan prevents over-browning of the cake edges.
  • Soaking dates in boiling water softens them and intensifies their flavor.
  • Adding instant coffee enhances the depth of the toffee flavor but can be omitted.
  • Drambuie liqueur adds a subtle warm note but is optional.
  • Letting the sauce firm before covering prevents plastic wrap from sticking.
  • Warming the pudding and sauce before serving ensures it is delightfully gooey.

Keywords: Sticky Toffee Pudding, British dessert, date cake, sticky toffee sauce, classic pudding, comfort food, warm dessert

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/sticky-toffee-pudding-recipe/