Maple Walnut Sticky Toffee Pudding
A warm, moist date cake drenched in a rich maple walnut toffee sauce, perfect for cozy gatherings. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 55 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 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
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 the dates and let soak for 15 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Stir 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder into the butter mixture until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold the soaked dates with their soaking liquid into the batter, mixing gently.
- Step 7: Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 8: Meanwhile, combine 1 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
- Step 9: Pour the warm maple walnut toffee sauce over the hot pudding immediately after baking. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple Walnut Sticky Toffee Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Maple Walnut 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 Maple Walnut 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 Walnut 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 Walnut 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.
