Sticky Date Pudding
If you've got pitted dates, chopped and mixed spice, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 65 minutes of cooking across 7 steps. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 7 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for oven and saucepan. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy Egg
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking tin.
- Bring the water to a boil, pour it over the chopped dates with the bicarbonate of soda, and leave to soak for 10 minutes until softened, then mash lightly.
- Cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and salt and fold gently, then stir through the date mixture and any soaking liquid until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- While the pudding bakes, make a simple toffee sauce by simmering equal parts brown sugar, butter, and cream for a few minutes until glossy.
- Let the pudding cool for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm, drizzled generously with the toffee sauce.
You'll use: Oven · Saucepan
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
- Brown Sugar
- white sugar + 1 tbsp molasses per cup
- Eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking) · 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
Tips & common questions
How long does Sticky Date Pudding take to make?
About 65 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 11 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Sticky Date Pudding vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Sticky Date Pudding is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Sticky Toffee Pudding - The Roundhill Pub 2023-09-24.jpg (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.