Sticky Date Pudding — British-Antipodean sticky toffee pudding
Sticky date pudding — also called sticky toffee pudding — is a moist, dark, date-rich sponge served with a thick toffee sauce poured over the top. It is one of the most-beloved British desserts of the late 20th century, despite its surprisingly recent origin.
i. Origin & history
Sticky toffee pudding was reportedly developed at the Sharrow Bay Hotel in the Lake District in the 1970s. The recipe quickly spread across Britain and to Australia and New Zealand, where it is now a fixture of pub menus.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 8 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 200 g pitted dates, chopped
- 250 ml hot water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 60 g unsalted butter, soft
- 150 g muscovado sugar
- 2 eggs
- 200 g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 200 g muscovado sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter
- 200 ml double cream
- Pinch salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
iii. Method
- Combine dates, hot water and baking soda; rest 15 min.
- Cream butter and sugar; beat in eggs; fold in flour and vanilla alternately with dates.
- Pour into a 22 cm square tin. Bake at 180 °C for 30-35 min.
- Make sauce: combine muscovado, butter, cream and salt; bring to a simmer; cook 4 min until glossy. Stir in vanilla.
- Pierce the warm pudding all over; pour half the sauce over to soak.
- Serve squares of pudding with extra warm sauce and cream.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Original Sharrow Bay version includes walnuts. Individual sticky toffee puddings are baked in dariole moulds. Sticky date and ginger pudding adds crystallised ginger.
vi. Common questions
What is sticky date pudding?
Sticky Date Pudding is british-antipodean sticky toffee pudding, from british & irish cuisine. It is one of the most-beloved British desserts of the late 20th century, despite its surprisingly recent origin
Where is sticky date pudding from?
Sticky Date Pudding is from the british & irish dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does sticky date pudding keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 3 days refrigerated.