Instant Pot Sticky Toffee Pudding
A moist date cake soaked in warm toffee sauce, made effortlessly in the Instant Pot for a comforting classic dessert. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers chopped pitted dates, boiling water, baking soda into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups, chopped pitted dates
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for sauce)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 1/4 cups chopped pitted dates and 1 tsp baking soda in a heatproof bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over them, and let soak for 10 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then add 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Stir in the soaked dates with their water.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder, then fold into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into a greased 7-inch round cake pan that fits inside your Instant Pot.
- Step 7: Add 1 cup water to the Instant Pot, place the trivet inside, and lower the pan onto the trivet.
- Step 8: Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes, then allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before opening.
- Step 9: While the cake cooks, prepare toffee sauce by combining 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in a small saucepan; heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Step 10: Serve warm pudding drizzled generously with the toffee sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Sticky Toffee Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Instant Pot Sticky Toffee Pudding?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Sticky Toffee Pudding?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Instant Pot Sticky Toffee Pudding for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Instant Pot Sticky Toffee Pudding?
British desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
