Description
Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding is a rich and indulgent British dessert featuring a moist chocolate date cake drenched in a luscious homemade toffee sauce. Perfectly balanced with the deep flavors of cocoa and sweet sticky toffee, this comforting treat is ideal for special occasions or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pudding:
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Toffee Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or individual ramekins to prevent sticking.
- Soften Dates: In a small bowl, combine the chopped dates with boiling water and stir in baking soda. Allow this mixture to sit for 10 minutes so the dates become soft and plump.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender pudding texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute all the dry components.
- Combine Mixtures: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the softened date mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until fully incorporated without overmixing.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for bursts of chocolate throughout the pudding.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Toffee Sauce: While the pudding bakes, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring consistently as the mixture simmers for 3–4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Soak Pudding in Sauce: Once baked, poke small holes in the pudding’s surface using a skewer or fork and pour half of the warm toffee sauce over it. Let it soak for 5–10 minutes to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the pudding warm with extra toffee sauce drizzled on top. Optionally, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a creamy contrast.
Notes
- The pudding can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving for convenience.
- For extra richness, swap semi-sweet chocolate chips with chopped dark chocolate.
- Serving in ramekins makes perfect individual portions and adds an elegant touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
