Sheet-Pan Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Sheet Pan

by: Eric Kim

November19,2018

4.4

7 Ratings

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 30 minutes
  • Serves 16 to 20

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Author Notes

Loosely adapted from Nigella Lawson's Sticky Toffee Pudding dessert from her cookbook, Nigella Bites, this sheet-pan version is one of my favorite things to make for guests during the colder months. I love this cake because it's one of those things I'm able to throw together when it seems I have nothing in my pantry and fridge. All it needs are the usual suspects, things like brown sugar, butter, flour, eggs, and milk—plus chopped dates. I often make this without the dates, but they're the ingredient that gives the dessert its signature flavor and squidge.

The important thing is to trust in Nigella's technique (it's a quirky one!): Once you spread the very simple batter out onto the sheet pan, you dot the cake with brown sugar, blobs of butter, and *pour* hot water (yes, hot water) all over the top. As this water-filled pan bakes in the oven, the liquid mixes with the butter and sugar and amalgamates into a luscious sauce. The sauce also inverts with the cake, so the batter bakes up into a tender sponge on top, while sticky toffee ends up on bottom. It's a very satisfying thing to watch happen, but requires a little faith. —Eric Kim

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: Dinner for 20—for Under $100? It Can Be Done. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • Cake
  • 1 stick salted butter, melted
  • 1 cuppacked dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoonpure vanilla extract
  • 2 cupsflour
  • 1 tablespoonbaking powder
  • 1 pinchkosher salt
  • 1 cupwhole milk
  • 1 cupchopped dates
  • "Sauce"
  • 2 cupspacked dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 stick salted butter
  • 2 cupsboiling water
  • 1/2 gallonvanilla ice cream, for serving
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and butter an 18x13-inch half sheet pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Dump in the flour, baking powder, salt, and milk, and stir until smooth. Fold in the chopped dates. Spread batter out onto the buttered sheet pan.
  3. For the “sauce,” sprinkle over the 2 cups of brown sugar and dot with the 1/2 stick of butter. Pour the boiling water all over the top of the cake (trust me!) and carefully transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until caramelized on top. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Tags:

  • Cake
  • British
  • Date
  • Sheet Pan
  • Entertaining
  • Holiday
  • Dinner Party
  • Dessert

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Sammi Flinkton

  • Nancy Henderson

  • Eric Kim

  • Sabine Gagnon

Recipe by: Eric Kim

Eric Kim was the Table for One columnist at Food52. He is currently working on his first cookbook, KOREAN AMERICAN, to be published by Clarkson Potter in 2022. His favorite writers are William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, and Ernest Hemingway, but his hero is Nigella Lawson. You can find his bylines at The New York Times, where he works now as a writer. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @ericjoonho.

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11 Reviews

Eliza W. December 25, 2022

This recipe is nothing short of incredible. I didn’t have the right size baking sheet on hand so I used my large pyrex dish and it worked so well. It was perfect to see the sauce bubbling at the bottom and also ensure the cake on top was baked to our liking. It was such an easy recipe to throw in the oven for our Christmas pudding while we enjoyed dinner and serve up warm immediately making it seem effortless! I even prepped my dry ingredients in a tupperware in advance so I could just dump and pour everything before we sat down to dinner.

The boiling water piece was also the best party trick. People were so confused and astounded by the method of making this dish it was fun to do together and then see how well it came out!

aclincol December 31, 2021

This recipe was really easy, which was nice. But with the amount of butter and sugar in sticky toffee pudding it needed to be phenomenal and it just didn't quite get there for me.

Sammi F. May 29, 2020

The first time I had sticky toffee pudding was actually from a Japanese sushi restaurant on Vancouver Island BC. My entire family and I were hooked! I'm going to use dried medjool dates for this recipe. Should I depitt them and soak them beforehand or can I just depitt and chop them up? Thanks

Sammi F. May 29, 2020

oops sorry posted in the reviews instead of questions forum:(

Nancy H. December 27, 2018

Giant hit. 14 for dinner. Prepped as much as I could in the afternoon and then just threw it all together when dinner was finished. Served warm with option of a spoonful of plain whipped cream or ice cream. Perfect! Rave reviews from children and adults alike. a simple tasty keeper recipe for a crowd. thanks!

Eric K. December 28, 2018

Oh my god! That makes me so happy. Thanks for sharing, Nancy.

Sabine G. January 3, 2019

Is this ok served next day room temperature?I was going to bake a 1/2 day ahead of time for a family getaway trip.

Kristen January 21, 2019

Not sure about this recipe in particular, but in the UK sticky toffee pudding is always served warm and that really is key because of the caramel sauce. Maybe you could rewarm the entire pan(?). I would probably pick a different dessert.

Laura R. February 5, 2020

How deep was the pan you used? I have an 18 x 13 pan but not sure if it is deep enough.

Eric K. February 7, 2020

Hi Laura, just a regular sheet pan (1-inch deep).

Laura R. February 7, 2020

Thank-you! I made it today and it was a hit!

Sheet-Pan Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between sticky date pudding and 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.

What is sticky toffee pudding cake made of? ›

This traditional English sticky toffee pudding has the texture of a sponge-like cake that is super moist and full of sweet dates. The cake batter is baked on top of toffee sauce, then even more toffee sauce is poured on top. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Is sticky toffee pudding served with custard or ice cream? ›

Warm the puddings through, still covered, for 15-20 mins or until the sauce is bubbling. Serve them on their own, or with cream or custard.

How do you cook frozen sticky toffee pudding? ›

Microwave - From Frozen

Place the pudding, still in its container, on a suitable plate. Place in a microwave and heat on full power (100%). Allow to stand for 2 minutes. Spoon into portions or turn out onto a plate and serve.

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.

Why can't you reheat sticky toffee pudding? ›

The sponge is at its best on the day it is made as if the whole sponge is reheated in an oven there is the risk that it can dry out a little. The sponge will also become firmer when it is stored in the fridge.

Why put pudding mix in cake? ›

Instant pudding mixes are a blend of sugar, cornstarch, and flavorings that improve the texture of baked goods. The sugar in the mix helps retain moisture, which is why it's a popular addition to cake batters. The cornstarch in the mix helps with rise, for tall and fluffy confections.

What is another name for sticky toffee pudding? ›

Sticky Date Pudding – you're my favourite and always will be. Also known as Sticky Toffee Pudding, the simple trick that makes all the difference is to pour some Butterscotch Sauce over the warm cake when it comes out of the oven.

What pairs well with sticky toffee pudding? ›

Sticky toffee pudding is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

What country is sticky toffee pudding from? ›

Why can't you freeze sticky toffee pudding? ›

You could freeze leftover portions of the pudding in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Freeze the sauce in a separate airtight container. Thaw the sponge and sauce overnight in the fridge. Reheat the sponge in the microwave and reheat the sauce in a saucepan over a low heat, stiring occasionally.

Does sticky toffee pudding go bad? ›

Yes! To get the best shelf life we recommend refrigerating the puddings upon arrival to extend shelf life The dessert is shelf stable for approximately two weeks.

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

Toffee pudding is the term used in the US for what we refer to as sticky date pudding.

Can you refreeze sticky toffee pudding? ›

Do not refreeze once defrosted.

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.

Can you use deglet nour dates in Sticky Toffee Pudding? ›

Nigella's Sticky Toffee Pudding (from AT MY TABLE) uses soft dried dates. These usually come from a packet and are often sold already pitted. Common varieties include Delget Noor, but most varieties should be fine.

Why is Sticky Toffee Pudding called pudding? ›

The simple explanation is that Brits use the word 'pudding' to refer to dessert. If they are going to serve you an actual pudding they will specify the type of pudding – for example, sticky toffee pudding or rice pudding.

How do you eat sticky date pudding? ›

Pour 1/2 cup of warm sauce over warm pudding. Stand for 10 minutes. Cut into wedges. Serve with remaining sauce.

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