Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The dates add natural sweetness and a tender, fudgy texture.
A luscious toffee sauce elevates each bite, making it feel indulgent yet homey.
Easy to make ahead—bake the pudding, then reheat and drizzle sauce when ready.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the pudding

Pitted Medjool dates
Boiling water + baking soda
Unsalted butter
Brown sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Baking soda
Self‑raising flour (or plain flour + baking powder)
Pinch of salt

For the toffee sauce

Unsalted butter
Light brown sugar or demerara sugar
Double (heavy) cream or full‑fat milk
Golden syrup, corn syrup, or honey
Vanilla extract

directions

Prepare the dates: Chop the pitted dates and soak in boiling water with a pinch of baking soda until soft—this helps break them down and intensifies the flavor.
Make the pudding batter: Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Fold in soaked dates (with liquid), flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
Bake: Spoon batter into a greased baking dish (about 8×8 in or similar). Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) until the top springs back and a skewer comes out clean—about 30–35 minutes.
Prepare the toffee sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter and sugar together until bubbling. Stir in cream and syrup, bring to a gentle simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Serve: Pierce warm pudding with a skewer or fork and pour over a generous amount of hot toffee sauce. Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.

Servings and timing

Yields: 6–8 servings
Prep time: 10–15 minutes
Cook time: 30–35 minutes
Sauce time: 5–7 minutes
Total time: ~45–55 minutes

variations

Individual servings: Bake in ramekins for personal-sized puddings.
Sticky Date Pudding Cake: Bake in a loaf tin and slice like cake—perfect for afternoon tea.
Gluten‑free: Swap self‑raising flour for a gluten‑free blend and ensure baking powder is GF.
Healthier option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and substitute some sugar with mashed banana or applesauce.
Sauce twists: Add a dash of bourbon, dark rum, or espresso for a boozy or deep-flavor twist.

storage/reheating

Refrigerator: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Store portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 325 °F (160 °C) for 10–15 minutes, or microwave single portions for 30–60 seconds. Reheat extra toffee sauce on the stove or microwave until pourable.

FAQs

How do I soften dates quickly?

Chop dates and pour boiling water over them with a teaspoon of baking soda. Let sit 10–15 minutes—they’ll become buttery soft.

Can I use other types of dates?

Yes—any soft, sweet variety works, but Medjool or Deglet Noor are excellent for texture and flavor.

What’s the best dish for baking this pudding?

An 8×8 in square baking dish or a similar-sized ovenproof pan works well; for ramekins, adjust cooking time slightly shorter or longer.

Is it possible to make it without eggs?

Yes—use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg or add a flax egg substitute and slightly reduce liquid in the batter.

Can I prepare this in advance?

Absolutely—bake and store the pudding; reheat when you’re ready to serve and gently warm the toffee sauce.

How do I know when it’s cooked?

The top should spring back lightly, and a skewer inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light?

Sure—dark brown sugar adds more molasses flavor, enriching the sauce and cake.

What’s the best accompaniment?

Classic pairings include vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or hot custard—together with warm pudding and sauce, it’s heavenly.

Can I make the sauce thicker?

Cook it a bit longer over low heat until it coats the back of a spoon; stirring constantly helps prevent burning.

Can I make this dairy‑free?

Use dairy-free butter and coconut cream in the sauce. Use unsweetened plant‑based milk if you prefer lighter sauce.

Conclusion

Sticky Date Pudding is the ultimate cozy dessert: a tender, date-studded cake bathed in luscious toffee sauce—elegant enough for entertaining, yet simple and comforting for everyday indulgence. Versatile and forgiving, it suits dietary swaps and reheats beautifully, making it a family favorite you’ll return to again and again