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Sticky sweet moist and delicious, this sticky toffee pudding is definitely the recipe you need if you like a sticky toffee pudding without dates in. It's a decadent treat that's perfect for when you want to indulge in a comfort food dessert!

Sticky toffee pudding on a plate topped with sauce and ice cream

I love my puddings. If you're feeling a bit down, sad, tired, hungry, cold or even on top of the world already, there is nothing better than a steaming bowl of freshly baked pudding and custard. Usually my pudding of choice would be a fruit crumble whereas my husband's would definitely be THIS sticky toffee pudding.

Should a Sticky Toffee Pudding Have Dates in?

Many people will tell you that sticky toffee pudding needs to have dates in it. My husband would tell you that there is nothing worse than ordering a sticky toffee pudding for dessert and finding it full of dates. As I have never ordered a sticky toffee pudding for myself before, it's an argument I'm not going to take sides on.

I decided to make this sticky pudding without dates as putting dates in it would just have been cruel. However, as I love fruit in puddings, cakes, scones and anything else you can think of, I suspect that I would also love a sticky toffee pudding with a few dates in.

The inspiration for this sticky toffee pudding without dates

This recipe started as a tribute to the Great British Bake Off. The theme was puddings. I don't make a lot of puddings but this one has definitely become a hit and I can't think of any way to improve it!

Ingredients for date-free sticky toffee pudding

To make this sticky toffee pudding you'll need:

Plain flour - This can be replaced by self-raising flour. If so you can miss out the baking powder as well.
Baking powder
Salt - Just a little
Soft brown sugar - This gives this sponge its delicious toffee flavour and helps it stay really moist.
Eggs - Try to use large eggs
Milk - I use semi-skimmed milk but you can replace it with whole milk.
Vanilla extract
Butter - I usually use unsalted but salted butter is also absolutely fine.

Ingredients for the toffee sauce:

Double cream
Butter - As above, salted or unsalted are fine.
Soft brown sugar

How to make sticky toffee pudding

This sticky toffee pudding is really simple to make. First put all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Then melt the butter and put the milk, eggs, butter and vanilla into another bowl. Whisk them together and then pour them into the bowl with the dry ingredients.

Lightly oil a baking dish and pour the sticky toffee pudding batter in. Bake it in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes at 180 C (160C fan).

While the pudding is baking you can make the toffee sauce. Just put all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the sauce is golden brown.

What to serve with sticky toffee pudding

I love to serve this with vanilla ice cream as it's a lovely contrast to the warm sweet pudding. You could also serve it with cream or custard.

flatlay of sticky toffee pudding without dates and sauce

What can you do with the leftovers?

You can store the leftovers in the fridge for up to three days in a covered container.

Can you reheat sticky toffee pudding?

I usually reheat individual portions in the microwave and serve it warm. However, you can also reheat it in the oven. Put a portion in a dish and cover it with foil. It'll take about 8 minutes at 180C. Trust me, it is just as good the next day!

Can you freeze sticky toffee pudding?

Yes, you can freeze this pudding. Wait until it has cooled and then wrap it up in baking paper, put it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.

You can also freeze any leftover sticky toffee sauce separately in an airtight container.

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