Maple Pecan Sticky Toffee Pudding

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist date cake drenched in a warm maple-pecan toffee sauce, a comforting dessert that will impress your guests with its rich, buttery sweetness. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes pairs chopped pitted dates, boiling water, baking soda for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 British cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
  2. Step 2: Place 1 cup chopped pitted dates and 1 tsp baking soda in a bowl; pour 1 cup boiling water over and let soak for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 6 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  5. Step 5: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt, then fold into wet ingredients.
  6. Step 6: Stir soaked dates with their liquid into the batter until combined, then fold in 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
  7. Step 7: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  8. Step 8: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
  9. Step 9: When cake is warm, poke holes with a skewer and pour half the maple-pecan sauce over it. Serve warm with remaining sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple Pecan Sticky Toffee Pudding take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Maple Pecan Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped pitted dates from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple Pecan 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 Maple Pecan 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 Maple Pecan 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.

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