Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky toffee pudding is a British steamed or baked sponge cake made with finely chopped dates and covered in a warm toffee sauce, usually served with cream, custard, or ice cream. It became popular in England in the mid-20th century, and despite the name the toffee flavor comes from the brown-sugar sauce rather than from candy toffee.
What It Is
Sticky toffee pudding is a moist, dark sponge cake whose signature texture comes from pureed or chopped dates, which soften the crumb and add caramel-like sweetness. It is finished with a butter, cream, and brown sugar toffee sauce poured over the top.
British Origins
The dish became popular in England in the latter half of the 20th century and is often associated with the Lake District. In British usage, pudding refers broadly to dessert, which is why this cake-like dish is called a pudding.
Answers in Sticky Toffee Pudding (36)
- Can You Make Sticky Toffee Pudding the Day Before?
- Why Is My Sticky Toffee Pudding Not Sticky?
- Can You Make Sticky Toffee Pudding in a Slow Cooker?
- How to Make Sticky Toffee Pudding for a Crowd
- Best Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
- Steamed vs Baked Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Why Did My Sticky Toffee Pudding Sink in the Middle?
- Why Is My Sticky Toffee Pudding Too Watery?
- Sticky Toffee Pudding vs Sticky Date Pudding
- What Wine/Drink Pairs With Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Where Did Sticky Toffee Pudding Come From?
- How to Make Sticky Toffee Pudding Less Sweet
- Best Sauce for Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Why Do People Love Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Can Kids Eat Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Ideal Temperature to Serve Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Can You Make Sticky Toffee Pudding Without Eggs?
- What Kind of Dates for Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Common Mistakes Making Sticky Toffee Pudding
- How to Fix Dry Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Is Sticky Toffee Pudding Gluten-Free?
- The Traditional British Way to Eat Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Is Sticky Toffee Pudding Actually a Pudding?
- What Should You Serve With Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Why Is It Called 'Sticky' Toffee Pudding?
- Best Sticky Toffee Pudding for Gift Giving?
- Best Way to Reheat Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- How Much Sugar Is in Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Can You Make Sticky Toffee Pudding Dairy-Free?
- Can You Freeze Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- How Long Does Homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding Last?
- Can You Eat Sticky Toffee Pudding With Sensitive Teeth?
- Light vs Dark Brown Sugar in Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Where Can I Buy the Best Sticky Toffee Pudding?
- Is Sticky Toffee Pudding Hard to Make?
- What Does Sticky Toffee Pudding Taste Like?
Frequently asked
- Why is it called sticky toffee pudding?
- The name reflects its sticky brown-sugar toffee sauce and moist, date-rich sponge; in British English, pudding simply means dessert.
Sources
By Kelsy Maruyama, Founder & Toffee Maker, Kelsy's Kandy
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Updated 7/20/2026.