Dreamy Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe UK

Recipe Notes

If you have any questions about how to make this recipe, please post a comment below and I will get back to you.

Servings: The recipe makes 6 tasty portions of chocolate sticky toffee pudding.

Calories per serving: 480 calories.

Remember: Please tag #whitakerschocolates with photos of your homemade chocolate sticky toffee pudding.

Laura's Top Tips for This Recipe

I have baked this chocolate sticky toffee pudding many times for family and friends. Here are my top tips that helped me get the best results every time.

I find it best to soak the dates for the full ten minutes so they soften right through and mash into a smooth paste. This step adds moisture to the sponge and stops any dry bits from forming.

When I tried chopping the Easymelt chocolate into small pieces it worked best for me. The chocolate melts into little pockets throughout the sponge instead of sinking to the bottom in big lumps.

I find it best to fold the flour and cocoa in gently with a metal spoon. Overmixing can make the sponge heavy so just a few soft turns keeps it light and springy.

When I tried baking it in a 20cm square tin the pudding rose evenly and gave neat portions. If the top starts to brown too fast loosely cover it with foil for the last ten minutes of baking.

For the sauce I find it best to keep the heat low at the start and stir all the time. This helps the sugar dissolve fully and stops the chocolate from catching on the base of the pan.

Serving Suggestions

A jug of fresh vanilla custard is the classic choice in most homes. The smooth custard soaks into the soft date sponge and cuts through the thick toffee sauce for a comforting finish.

For a quick and popular option add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side of each portion. The cold ice cream melts gently against the hot pudding and sauce creating lovely contrasts in temperature and texture that everyone enjoys.

If you prefer something lighter simply pour a little single cream or clotted cream over the top. This lets the deep chocolate and date notes stand out without extra sweetness.

For special occasions serve the pudding in individual bowls with an extra drizzle of warm sauce and a few fresh berries or a light dusting of icing sugar on top. The berries add a fresh colour and slight tartness that works well with the rich pudding.

This dessert also makes a wonderful end to a Sunday roast dinner or a cosy night in. It pairs nicely with a cup of tea or coffee and feels like proper homemade comfort food.

Nutritional Information for This Recipe

How to Store Your Homemade Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding

This pudding keeps well for a few days when stored correctly so you can enjoy leftovers without losing quality.

Once the pudding has cooled completely place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days this way.

Keep the toffee sauce in a separate jar or covered bowl in the fridge where it lasts up to five days. Stir it gently before reheating to bring back the smooth texture.

To reheat portions put a slice of pudding on a plate with a spoonful of sauce and warm it in the microwave for one to two minutes on medium power. For the whole pudding cover it loosely with foil and heat in a low oven at 160C for about fifteen minutes until hot right through. These methods help stop the sponge from drying out.

You can also freeze the baked pudding without the sauce. Wrap it tightly in cling film and a layer of foil then freeze for up to one month. Defrost it overnight in the fridge before reheating as above. The sauce does not freeze well so it is best to make a fresh batch when you need it.

A Brief History of Sticky Toffee Pudding in the UK

Sticky toffee pudding is a much loved British dessert but its exact beginnings are still debated among food lovers.

The story most people know places its popular rise in the 1970s at the Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel in the Lake District of Cumbria.

Francis Coulson and his partner served it to guests and gave it the fun name icky sticky toffee pudding. It soon became a signature dish that guests loved and talked about.

Some older claims suggest the pudding first appeared much earlier. One story says a landlady at the Gait Inn in Yorkshire put a version on the menu as far back as 1907.

Another points to a possible link with Canadian airmen during the Second World War who shared a similar date based pudding recipe that later reached British kitchens and was adapted.

Whatever the true start it was the version from the Lake District that helped spread the pudding across the UK.

By the late 1980s a take home version from Cartmel in Cumbria made it easy for people to enjoy at home and it soon appeared in supermarkets everywhere.

Today sticky toffee pudding remains a true comfort classic in British homes and restaurants.