Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding

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Meet Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding: She’s elegant and oh-so-easy!! This rich, moist sponge cake is infused with date paste, giving it a super caramel-like flavor. Sour cream is added for the most tender crumb. And a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves give is a signature cozy flavor. 

Once the cake is baked, it is drenched in a  decadent toffee sauce that is sweet and buttery. Each bite will keep you coming back for more. To make it even better, serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. 

This cake is the type of dessert that you’ll be craving to have an excuse to make all season long. It’s perfect for dinner parties, a cozy date night in or even for Friendsgiving or Christmas dinner. 

How to Make Sticky Toffee Pudding Step-by-Step

Step 1. Pit dates, soften in bowling water and blend to a paste

The key ingredient in sticky toffee pudding is dates! The dates will give a rich, caramel flavor to the cake. You’ll want to start by making the date paste, which will be blended into the sponge cake batter. 

Start by pitting your dates. Remove pits from dates by carefully slicing down the long side of the date. Gently break open the date and remove the pit. 

After the pits are removed, place dates in a bowl of boiling water for 10-15 minutes, until soft. 

Using an emersion blender or high powered blender, blend the hot water and dates until a paste is formed. We personally like blending in a high powered blender because it avoids any splatter of water. 

Step 2. Mix together dry ingredients and spices.

In a medium bowl, mix together your dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices. The baking soda and baking powder are going to be learners in the this cake to give it a nice airy texture. 

The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves complement caramel so well and give this date cake a super cozy warmth. 

Step 3. Cream butter and sugar. Mix together rest of batter.

The best part about this cake is that you don’t have to use an electric mixer, if you don’t want to! It can be easily made with a whisk and spatula.

Start by whisking together melted butter and sugar. Once blended, add in eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Whisk wet ingredients together until nice and creamy. 

Sour cream is an untraditional ingredient in this cake, but it adds moisture and tenderness to the cake crumb. 

Pour in your dry ingredients and fold into the batter with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until all clumps of flour are blended in.

Step 4. Bake cake and make toffee sauce.

Pour the batter into a prepped baking dish or large skillet and bake in preheated 350ºF oven for about 30-35 minutes. 

While the cake is baking, make the toffee sauce. This is super easy to do! 

• In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in sugar, heavy cream, vanilla and salt. 
• Continue to stir for about 4-5 minutes. 
• The sauce will start to bubble. Let it simmer and thicken for 5-7 minutes.

Step 5. Poke holes in cake with fork and pour toffee sauce over cake.

When your cake is done baking, let it cool for 5 minutes before topping with toffee sauce. Poke holes in the top of the cake and pour toffee sauce over the entire surface. Spread with a knife or spatula so that the entire surface is coated. 

Now the wait is over, you’re ready to eat!! Top with chopped pecan and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Best way to know your cake is done baking…

Testing for doneness correctly is important to make sure your cake is cooked through. Poke a toothpick in the center of the loaf with a fork or tooth pick. 

If it comes out clean, your cake is done. If you remove the fork and there is uncooked batter on the utensil, it needs more time to cook. Pop it in the oven for 5-10 more minutes at a time until it comes out clean.

Serving Suggestions 

• Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream! The creamy ice cream with the warm sticky toffee pudding is a combination that is actually irresistible. This is one of our favorite ways to enjoy this cake.
• Bake and serve in smaller glasses, like a ramekins. If doing this, bake for a bit less time – about 12-20 minutes. Once done, pour the sticky toffee pudding over the top of each ramekin cake. 
• Make a large batch for parties. If you’re serving for more than 12-15 people, we recommend making a double batch. When you’re ready to serve, slice sticky toffee pudding into individual pieces to serve. 

Storing and reheating suggestions

Store in fridge in airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm in microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm.

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