I have a newly discovered love of all things British since my daughter moved to London over three years ago. Before that I’d never been to England, but we’ve been visiting her quite a bit. She’s a good excuse to cross the pond, so to speak. She’s a very good tour guide, and does especially well taking us to her favorite restaurants and gastropubs in London.
It was at one, called Vinoteca, where I decided to have dessert after brunch. It was Mum’s Day, after all, so I splurged. My daughter was attempting to explain to us that all desserts in England are called puddings. I mean, I was served my Sticky Toffee Pudding, and it’s a cake! But there, it’s a pudding! Why is it called a pudding?!
The “pudding” didn’t look like much. It was a square of golden brown cake. But it was hot, and topped with gooey caramel sauce and slowly melting vanilla ice cream, so I knew it would be good.
Well, I have to say. It was sweet heaven on a plate.
I never wanted to have it again because that experience was so perfect, but about a year after that, my husband and I went with our daughter to the Lake District of Northern England, in Cumbria. We stayed at a delightful bed and breakfast outside of Coniston that served fabulous meals. And, one night, they served us Sticky Toffee Pudding.
It was even better than what I had in London. I later discovered that the birthplace of Sticky Toffee Pudding is the Lake District!!! But why it was even better I’ve never been able to figure out.
I’ve looked at many recipes for Sticky Toffee Pudding since, and they’re all similar. The “cake” is made with dates, which no one knows. But they’re in there. It’s quite unique. So here is my recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding. You’ll love it, too!
Sticky Toffee Pudding
cake:
6 ounces finely chopped dates
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 ounces boiling water
6 ounces self-rising flour
2 1/2 ounces butter, at room temperature
6 ounces white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, at room temperature
sauce:
7 ounces brown sugar
3.5 ounces butter
5.3 ounces heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, cut into fourths
For the cake:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8″ square baking dish; set aside.
Place the dates in a small saucepan along with the baking soda. Add the boiling water and give the dates a stir. Place the pan over a burner and once they’re boiling, boil them gently for about a minute; this breaks them down a little more. Set aside the pan and let the dates cool for at least 30 minutes.
Sift the flour into a small bowl and set aside.
With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the vanilla, and mix thoroughly.
When the dates have cooled, add them to the butter-sugar mixture and beat well; you can’t overbeat. Switch to a spoon, and add the sifted flour. Stir to combine.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the sauce:
Place all of the ingredients into a small saucepan. Heat the pan slowly over medium heat, until the butter has melted. Let the mixture cook for about five minutes: it will have thickened.
After the cake has baked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven. Put about 4 or 5 tablespoons of the caramel sauce on top of the cake and spread it around to cover the cake completely. Then return the cake to the oven for 2 minutes.
Serve the cake hot or warm, drizzled with the sauce. A scoop of ice cream is optional!
Sticky Toffee Pudding at a restaurant called Bumpkin, in London
Oh yummy yummy. That looks really delicious! Sticky decadence… love it!
oh it’s good! love your blog!
It’s a hard one to top, and your pictures looks divine. Thanks for the reminder of what a great pudding it is – with home made vanilla ice cream, of course. Tracey
It really is so good! (This ice cream wasn’t home-made I must admit)
I bet the pudding you had in the Lake District was made from scratch, which is why it tastes better. :)
Really? I never even thought that they wouldn’t be made from scratch… Yuck!
I’m sure I’ve seen sticky toffee pudding at tescos. :) But if they were using local ingredients in the Lake District, it will make a huge difference.
Which makes me wonder, how did dates first get to Northern England??!!! Do you know this, being from the U.K.?
Not sure but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Romans first brought the dates. Don’t think they grow in the UK but there has always been a strong trade route to the UK.
that makes perfect sense
Ooh this is is one of my favourite puddings – thanks for the recipe share!
Absolutely! And happy birthday! You’re the same age as my daughter who lives in London!
Thanks! How can you have a 26 year old daughter?! You do NOT look old enough for that.
it’s all in the neck, dear! necks don’t lie!!! but, you’re very sweet!
Oh, yum! I have never made sticky toffee pudding but REALLY want to try it! Yours looks wonderful!
Well this is definitely a good recipe. My London daughter says that the difference is in the sauce, so ill have to look into that! Thanks for your comment!
Sticky date pudding is a winter time favourite in Australia too, simple to make, delicious to eat. I sometimes make single portions in small moulds, they freeze really well, so we’re not compelled to OD on pud! I LOVE the cross pollination of cultures😀
Very interesting! Individual servings is definitely the way to go! Great idea.
I love these too. Sometimes I bake them in muffin tins. And add a grated granny smith apple into the batter to make sure they are extra moist. Can’t beat a good Sticky Date Pudding!
Oh, that’s very interesting… What a great idea! Thanks!
One of my fave desserts Mimi! Delicious!
Oh, it is amazing!!!
What a great way to start the New Year! I adore sticky toffee pudding and look forward to trying your recipe!
oh great! I’d love to have your opinion, since it’s the only one I’ve actually made!
I’ve never made sticky toffee pudding before but its one of my faves! Will have to try making it some day!
it’s very different, with boiling the dates and all… but worth making from scratch! thanks for commenting!
Definitely my favorite dessert!
It’s one of mine, now!
Yum! Sticky pudding is one of my favorite desserts! I just moved to London, and am so happy I will be able to enjoy even more of them now. And now I even have a recipe I want to make it at home! I’ll have to restrain myself a little though, I would not want to get tired of this dessert.
I don’t see how anyone could possibly get tired of this dessert!!!
Hi Mimi – this looks amazing! I will have to give it a go. Sticky toffee pudding is one of my husband’s favourites but I’ve never attempted it before. Also great to hear we (in England) had something tasty to offer! Most of my favourite recipe books at the moment are American – you guys do a lot of sweet things very well!
thank you, but I’ve never had a bad meal in the UK!