High Altitude Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

An easy recipe for high altitude sticky toffee pudding baked as a sheet cake. This moist and sticky date cake or date pudding is wonderful served warm with homemade toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.

You might also love this chocolate caramel toffee cake, blondies with ganache and toffee, and caramel apple crumble.

Vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce dripping over a piece of sticky toffee pudding cake.

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I may make a small commission if you purchase a product using those links. This in no way affects my opinion of those products and services. All opinions expressed on this site are my own.

What is Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Sticky toffee pudding, also known as sticky date pudding or sticky date cake, is a British dessert consisting of a moist sponge cake that’s made with finely chopped dates (although prunes can also be used). It’s often baked in individual ramekins and then turned out onto serving plates, but I baked mine as a one-layer cake and cut it into squares. The cake is usually served warm from the oven with sweet toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream or custard.

Sticky toffee pudding topped with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Mixer Needed. You won’t need a mixer or any special equipment to make this delicious and decadent dessert.

Quick and Easy. Today’s recipe, including the cake and the homemade toffee sauce, comes together fast, so you can enjoy warm cake in about an hour.

High Altitude Tested. I develop all the recipes on my site for Denver’s altitude of 5,280 feet. If you’re at a lower or higher elevation, please see my FAQs for guidance on adjusting recipes for your altitude.

Brown sugar toffee sauce dripping off a spoon.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for the full ingredients list and instructions.

Ingredients

Dates. Look for pitted Medjool dates if you can find them, although the pits are easy enough to remove if you can’t get pitted dates. Prunes also work just fine as a substitute for dates. If you can’t find them at your grocery store, you’ll likely find them at a store like Sprouts, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.
Water. Before making the cake batter, you’ll need to soak the dates in boiling water first to soften them. The date infused water will be used to add moisture and flavor to the cake.
Baking Soda + Baking Powder. Leavening agents, so the cake rises as it bakes.
Butter. Adds moisture, fat and richness for a flavorful cake.
Sugar. Use dark brown sugar for a rich, sweet flavor that hints of molasses.
Eggs. Gives the cake moisture and strength.
Vanilla Extract. Flavor.
Flour. All-purpose flour gives the cake structure and strength.
Salt. Balances the sweetness.
Toffee Sauce. My recipe for homemade toffee sauce has a wonderful flavor, and the process is easier than making salted caramel sauce. If you prefer, you can always use a jar of pre-made caramel topping or sauce to serve with your cake.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F, and position a rack in the center of the oven. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter, or spray with non-stick baking spray.
In a bowl, combine the chopped dates with the boiling water and the baking soda. Let stand 10 minutes to soften the dates.
Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla, then whisk in the flour, baking powder and salt, just until combined.
Spread the cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for about 25-28 minutes, until the cake springs back when gently touched, or a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 1 for making sticky toffee pudding cake.

Step 2 for making sticky toffee pudding cake.

Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then serve warm with the toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.
While the cake is baking, you’ll have plenty of time to make the toffee sauce, so it can cool slightly before serving it with the warm cake.

Sticky toffee pudding cake cut into squares.

Be sure to read all of my BAKING FAQs where I discuss ingredients, substitutions and common baking questions, so that you can be successful in your own baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you add baking soda to the boiling water when soaking the dates for sticky toffee pudding?

The baking soda helps to soften the dates, as well as acts as a leavening agent to lighten the cake as it bakes.

How should I store the leftover cake?

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover cake?

Reheat pieces of leftover cake for 30-45 seconds in the microwave at 50% power.

Sticky toffee pudding cake topped with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Date pecan cookies filled with pecan buttercream. — Date Pecan Cookies

Cinnamon raisin scones with cinnamon sugar. — Date Pecan Cookies

Please check out my Amazon Shop for a curated collection of some of my favorite cake pans from trusted brands, baking tools, ingredients, pretty things and fashion finds. I recommend products that I buy and use every day!

Did you love today’s recipe? Please rate the recipe and let me know in the comments what you thought! Also, be sure to follow Curly Girl Kitchen on Instagram, and tag me when you try one of my recipes so I can see all your delicious creations!