Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (2024)

Home » Cuisine » Australian » Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce

Published: Last Updated:

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

The ultimate Sticky Date Pudding (also known as Sticky Toffee Pudding) which is baked as a cake and served with a decadent Butterscotch Sauce. Delicious served warm and with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (1)

Sticky Date Pudding

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce is a popular café dessert in Australia, one which I dream of frequently but seldom make. But the recent snowy weather in Zurich has prompted much stoveside activity in our home, and a warming pudding of this sort felt necessary to chase the winter blues away.

My favourite type of Sticky Date Pudding is typically baked in a roasting tray with the butterscotch sauce forming underneath the pudding. And this type of pudding is perfect for when you know that the whole dessert will be eaten in one sitting.

At other times, I like to make Sticky Date Pudding as a large cake, which can be sliced big or small, and drizzled elegantly with some warm Butterscotch Sauce.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (2)

Sticky Date Cake Recipe

The advantage of making a Sticky Date Cake vs a Sticky Date Pudding is that the former keeps better for serving over several days.

This recipe for Sticky Date Cake comes from Everyday by Bill Granger, an old favourite which I frequently turn to for inspiration during the busy week.

The only change I made to this recipe was to reduce the quantity of dates; I often find Sticky Date Puddings or Sticky Toffee Puddings to be on the sweet side, plus my supermarket only sells dates in packets of 200 g, so I went with this quantity.

The result was a lovely and moist date cake which was modest in sweetness, thus lending itself well to be generously draped in a warm Butterscotch Sauce.

Butterscotch Sauce Recipe

And the following Butterscotch Sauce recipe is incredibly easy to make – just three ingredients for a decadent and satisfying jug of golden deliciousness.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (3)

How to Serve Sticky Toffee Pudding

The Sticky Date Pudding or Sticky Toffee Pudding should be served warm with the Butterscotch Sauce still bubbling from the stove, but as the cake keeps rather well over several days, it is also lovely served at room temperature with the warm sauce alongside.

Some fresh raspberries provide welcome tartness against the sweetness of the butterscotch sauce, and a scoop of vanilla ice-cream would make this dessert sing.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (4)

Print

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (5)

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Thanh | Eat, Little Bird
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
  • Yield: Serves 8 to 10
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: Australian

The ultimate Sticky Date Pudding (also known as Sticky Toffee Pudding) which is baked as a cake and served with a decadent Butterscotch Sauce. Delicious served warm and with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Print

Rate

Ingredients

For the Sticky Date Pudding

For the Butterscotch Sauce

Instructions

For the Sticky Date Pudding

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) (without fan).
  2. Line the base of a 20 cm (8 inch) cake tin with baking paper and grease the sides with butter.
  3. Chop the dates and put them into a medium saucepan with the water (you will need a saucepan which will be big enough to hold all of the cake ingredients later).
  4. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the dates are soft and all of the water has been absorbed.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat.
  6. Stir through the baking soda and butter.
  7. Leave the saucepan to cool for about 10 minutes.
  8. Stir through the sugar, vanilla extract and eggs.
  9. Fold through the flour and baking powder.
  10. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

For the Butterscotch Sauce

  1. Mix together the sugar, cream and butter in a small saucepan.
  2. Simmer over medium heat until the butter has melted, the sugar has dissolved, and the sauce has thickened.

Kitchen Notes

I prefer to serve this dessert by cutting a piece of cake and drizzling it with the butterscotch sauce, rather than pouring all of the sauce over the entire cake before serving.

The butterscotch sauce will harden once cooled, so it is best to keep it in a small saucepan in the fridge. Simply reheat the fridge-cold sauce in the saucepan over medium heat until it is bubbling, and thin it with a bit of cream if needed.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (8)STORAGE TIPS
The cake keeps well for several days under a covered cake stand or covered in clingfilm.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (9)RECIPE CREDIT
This recipe is adapted from Everyday by Bill Granger.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (10)OVEN TEMPERATURES
All recipes on this website state temperatures for a regular oven (i.e. a conventional oven without fan). If you have a convection oven with a fan, please consult the manufacturer’s handbook on how to adjust the temperature and baking time accordingly.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (11)CONVERSIONS
To convert from cups to grams, and vice-versa, please see this handy Conversion Chart for Basic Ingredients.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Nutritional info for the cake
  • Calories: 255
  • Sugar: 30.4g
  • Sodium: 143mg
  • Fat: 6.8g
  • Carbohydrates: 46.5g
  • Fiber: 1.9g
  • Protein: 3.6g
  • Cholesterol: 52.3mg

#eatlittlebird

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (12)

Update

This recipe was first published on 5 February 2015. It has been updated with more comprehensive recipe notes.

Sticky Date Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Is sticky date pudding the same as sticky toffee pudding? ›

Sticky toffee pudding, known as sticky date pudding in Australia and New Zealand, is a British dessert consisting of a moist sponge cake made with finely chopped dates (optional), covered in a toffee sauce and often served with a vanilla custard or vanilla ice-cream.

How do you cook Sara Lee sticky date pudding? ›

Microwave 1 slice for approx. 20 - 25 seconds. The deliciously rich moist date pudding is topped with luscious toffee sauce.

What is butterscotch pudding made of? ›

Homemade butterscotch pudding is in its own playing field. In 1 pot, we're combining caramelized brown sugar and butter with a splash of vanilla and bourbon. Butterscotch pudding is luxuriously creamy and velvet-rich. Top with salted caramel, fresh whipped cream, and toffee bits for a truly unforgettable dessert.

Can you reheat sticky date pudding? ›

Make this luscious sticky date pudding in advance and then simply defrost and reheat for the perfect end to a winter dinner party.

What country invented sticky date pudding? ›

The invention of what is known in the UK as Sticky Toffee Pudding is generally attributed to Francis Coulson of the Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel in England's Lake District in 1960, although this has been challenged by writers from Scotland and Yorkshire.

Is figgy pudding the same as sticky toffee pudding? ›

Like the Christmas pudding and figgy puddings before it, the sticky toffee pudding is usually steamed for maximum moisture. Instead of figs, however, very finely chopped dates are added to the cake, which gets covered in a toffee sauce.

What is a kangaroo sticky date pudding? ›

KANGAROO – STICKY DATE PUDDING

The Kangaroo is an indulgent mixture of fresh Dates, sweet golden butter, topped with a magical Caramel sauce making this the best Sticky Date Pudding E-liquid you will ever try!!!

Do you have to heat sticky toffee pudding? ›

The pudding should not be eaten piping hot but needs to cool for at least 30 minutes and if it is left in a warm place after it comes out of the oven then it could be baked an hour or so in advance. The sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.

What does sticky date pudding taste like? ›

– Sticky Date Pudding is indulgent and very sweet, from both the dates + sugar in sauce. If you don't have a sweet tooth, this dessert is not for you! To reduce sweetness, you can skimp on the sauce. Or make a lighter, less sweet sauce as follows: Use half the sugar, butter and cream, make per recipe.

Why is my butterscotch pudding not setting? ›

Here's a tip: Make sure to bring the pudding to a full, vigorous boil to activate the cornstarch. Otherwise, it may not set. If you've ever ended up with thin, runny pudding, undercooking may have been the issue.

Why is my butterscotch pudding grainy? ›

Once the pudding cooled and the fat solidified, any bits that hadn't been thoroughly broken down came across as grainy on the tongue. Vigorously whisking the pudding—or any custard with a generous amount of butter—breaks down the fat into tiny droplets that are too small to detect once the mixture cools.

Why does butterscotch taste so good? ›

The original recipes for butterscotch used a similar method of caramelizing sugar, but also added the butter and molasses as essential ingredients. Modern techniques for butterscotch use brown sugar and butter as the foundation for the deliciously distinct flavor.

What does baking soda do to dates? ›

The baking soda helps to soften the dates as well as lighten the texture of the cake. Boiling Water – used to soak the dates and once soaked, the dates including the liquid, is added to the cake. Butter – salted or unsalted butter is fine.

Can you freeze leftover pudding? ›

The pudding is at its best on the day it is made, so we don't like to recommend making it in advance and freezing it. If you have leftovers then these can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How long should pudding cool before refrigerating? ›

Pour the pudding into six or eight serving dishes, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until well chilled, about two hours. (If you like a skin (film) on the top of the puddings, let cool to room temperature uncovered. Then cover and refrigerate until firm.)

Does America have sticky toffee pudding? ›

The beloved British classic is popping up on dessert menus across the United States, from natural wine bars to Harry Potter World. Sticky toffee pudding is a clear communicator.

What is the function of the date in the sticky toffee pudding? ›

The addition of dates soaked in tea creates a moist pudding, which, when served with the rich toffee sauce, provides the best combination for a winter pudding.

What's the difference between sticky toffee and caramel? ›

Toffee vs Caramel

The difference between toffee and caramel is that caramel is made with white granulated sugar and cooked to 340 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas toffee is made with butter and brown sugar and cooked to 295 - 309 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is sticky toffee pudding cake made of? ›

A super moist date cake is smothered in a buttery, sweet, toffee sauce and drizzled with a touch of cream. Beautiful and delicious! It's easy to get confused by the name of this recipe, but contrary to what it sounds like, sticky toffee pudding is actually one of the best cakes around.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6327

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Birthday: 2001-08-13

Address: 96487 Kris Cliff, Teresiafurt, WI 95201

Phone: +9418513585781

Job: Senior Designer

Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.