Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding may have been born in Britain, but in Canada it quickly became a winter staple. Rich with dates, soft sponge, and a glossy toffee sauce, it’s the kind of dessert that warms up long, cold nights. What makes the Canadian version unique is the maple syrup that slips into the sauce — a nod to our own culinary heritage. From Newfoundland, where British puddings were already beloved, to restaurants and family kitchens across the country, this dessert has been embraced and adapted until it feels just as Canadian as it does British.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients

For the pudding

• 225 g (1 ½ cups) dates, chopped

• 1 cup boiling water

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ cup butter, softened

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

For the toffee sauce

• ½ cup butter

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 2 tbsp maple syrup (for a Canadian twist)

• Pinch of salt

To serve

• Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of cream

Method

• Prepare pudding base: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour an 8-inch square or round baking dish. Place dates in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and stir in baking soda. Let sit until softened.

• Make batter: Cream butter and brown sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the softened date mixture until smooth.

• Bake: Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 30–35 minutes, until firm and springy to the touch.

• Make sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, then add brown sugar, cream, maple syrup, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes until smooth and thickened.

• Serve: Spoon warm pudding onto plates, drape with hot toffee sauce, and finish with cream or ice cream.

Variations

• Extra maple: Replace all the sugar in the sauce with maple sugar for a deeper Canadian flavour.Nut topping: Scatter toasted pecans or walnuts over the sauce before serving.Mini puddings: Bake in individual ramekins for easy dinner-party portions.