Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

Name: Gordon Ramsay's Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: For The Pudding; 5 Ounces Dates; ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda; ¼ Cup Boiling Water; 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter; 6 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar; 1 Egg; 1½ Cups All-Purpose Flour; ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder; For The Toffee Sauce; ½ Cup Unsalted Butter; 1 Cup Brown Sugar

Recipe Pin

Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe is the ultimate version of this classic British dessert. It is packed with the goodness of fresh dates, malty brown sugar, and many other ingredients.

Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding is ready

This dessert, also known as “Sticky Date Pudding,” is a well-known English dessert, popularly served warm at classic British pubs. When I studied in London for a year, this dessert was my usual order at the pub!

But I have to mention that, regardless of its origin, Gordon Ramsay is to blame for making this mighty dessert a trend and so beloved worldwide. Chef Ramsay has tried plenty of variations on this recipe, but the one we made is the ultimate one.

Although the prominent flavor of this recipe comes from the dates, I was delighted to see that it is undoubtedly as decadent as eating a chocolate-packed dessert! This sticky toffee pudding has become my ultimate guilty pleasure, and it takes barely any time and effort to put together, which is a huge plus.

So, whether you are a pro baker or just trying your hand at baking for the first time, there is nothing better than this recipe!

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Measuring Cups: It is very important to have measuring cups handy to get the right measurements and that perfectly baked pudding. One pro tip: I always level my measuring cups to get the right measurements.
Measuring Spoons: Many ingredients will be used in smaller quantities, so measuring spoons will be needed again to get precise measurements.
Stand Mixer: Don’t worry if you don’t have one! I don’t have one either, so I use a hand mixer and a large bowl instead, and you can do the same.
Blender: This piece of equipment will help make a smooth date puree.
Silicone Spatula: I always scrape down the sides while mixing the ingredients to ensure every ingredient is fully incorporated into the batter.
Muffin Tin: A muffin tin is perfect for serving individual portions of this pudding. However, I have also found that ramekins work equally well.
Pastry Brush: This will help grease the tins with butter more easily.
Medium Saucepan: We will use this equipment to prepare the toffee sauce.
Whisk: I always use a medium-sized whisk to stir all the ingredients into the sauce.

Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding Ingredients And Substitutions

Note: This recipe makes 2 individual portions of Sticky Toffee Pudding. If you want to make more or less of the same, adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly.

For The Pudding

5 Ounces Dates: I always remove the pits of the dates before roughly chopping them.
½ Teaspoon Baking Soda: The chemicals in baking soda will help soften the dates.
¼ Cup Boiling Water: To help the dates soak well, ensure the water is boiling.
3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter: I recommend not using salted butter, as it will not complement the rest of the flavors in this recipe.
6 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar: You can also use dark brown sugar or a mixture of both if that is what you have. However, if possible, do not use white sugar as it does not have the same moisture content.
1 Egg: A large egg of your choice works perfectly fine.
1½ Cup All-Purpose Flour: I have often used cake flour instead of all-purpose flour, and the pudding turned out perfect. However, I suggest not using bread flour, as it has a very high gluten content.
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder: This will help the pudding rise.

For The Toffee Sauce

½ Cup Unsalted Butter: I would again highly recommend not using salted butter in its place, as it will greatly alter the flavor of the recipe and may make it unpleasant.
1 Cup Brown Sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar for that ultimate malty flavor.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	20 Minutes	35 Minutes

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding At Home

Step 1

Soak the dates in a bowl with boiling water and baking soda, and keep them aside for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Add room-temperature unsalted butter to a large bowl.

Step 3

Add the brown sugar and begin mixing with a hand mixer. Ensure you scrape the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula while mixing.

Step 4

Now, crack an egg, add it to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, and mix it in gently. Again, scrape the sides between mixing to ensure everything is well incorporated into the batter.

Step 5

After mixing the eggs well, you can top the mixture with flour.

Step 6

Now, add the date puree made with the soaked dates, ensuring it is well blended. Mix it well until you get a smooth batter.

Step 7

Using a pastry brush, grease your ramekins or muffin tins with room-temperature unsalted butter.

Step 8

Transfer the prepared batter to the greased ramekins or muffin tray. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Step 9

For toffee sauce, add brown sugar to the pan. Once it melts, add butter to it.

Step 10

Stir vigorously until smooth.

Step 11

Finally, when the sauce and pudding are ready, begin to serve. Place the cake on a serving plate, followed by the toffee sauce on top.

How to Make Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding

Step 12

Garnish it with ice cream or crème fraiche and serve.

Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

Baking can be challenging, especially if you are new to it. But as long as you follow the tips and tricks I mentioned below, your sticky toffee pudding will be the absolute best!
If you aren’t too confident about gently mixing eggs into the batter, add a little egg at a time and mix, rather than adding the entire egg in one go.
I highly recommend not opening the oven door while the puddings are baking to prevent them from sinking in the center.
Before soaking, I usually lightly sauté the dates in a small amount of butter, which helps enhance their natural sweetness.
I use an oven thermometer to confirm your oven’s temperature accuracy before baking.
You can further enhance the flavor of this pudding by adding spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg.
Once you add cream and milk to the sauce base, I advise letting it all simmer at a low temperature to prevent the cream from splitting under intense heat.

FAQs About Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding

What is the purpose of adding baking soda to dates while soaking them in hot water?

Baking soda is added to the dates, while soaking helps break them down and soften them.

Why is your sticky toffee pudding not rising much?

This can be due to two reasons. The first and more plausible reason is that your baking powder is probably too old or has expired and does not possess leavening qualities anymore. So, you should check it before using it. Other than that, this could also be because your oven does not have proper heat circulation. So, do check that out before you bake the puddings.

Why is your toffee pudding batter lumpy?

Your batter may be lumpy if the flour has large lumps or if you haven’t scraped the sides well while making it.

Why has your toffee pudding sunk in the center?

This happens if you open the oven mid-way through the baking process. Opening the oven door will cause the hot air to escape, often making the pudding sink from the center. So, avoid doing the same at all costs.

Why are the tins not dusted with flour once they are greased?

There is no need to dust the ramekins or muffin tins with flour before adding the batter, as the pudding is moist enough to detach from them, with just some butter applied to the sides.

Why is your sauce lumpy?

Your sauce may be lumpy if your sugar has crystallized or if you have not mixed the cream and milk well with the caramelized sugar.

How to prevent sugar from crystallizing while making the toffee sauce?

Keep a bowl filled with water and a pastry brush handy to prevent the sugar from crystallizing while making the toffee sauce. While the sugar is melting, gently brush the sides of the saucepan with the water, which will help prevent sugar crystals from forming.

How can the consistency of the sauce be corrected if it is too lumpy?

If your sauce is too lumpy, add it to a saucepan and let it simmer at a very low temperature. This will usually break and melt the sugar crystals, making the sauce smooth and shiny. Once you do the same, if you still see tiny sugar lumps, pass the sauce through a strainer to remove them and get a smooth texture.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding is, of course, not the healthiest option out there. Packed with added sugar, this dish should be treated as a dessert and consumed in moderation, that is, once in a while.

To be sure, check the exact nutritional values of this pudding in the table given below.

Calories	448 kcal
Carbohydrates	66 g
Protein	2 g
Fat	22 g
Saturated Fat	14 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1 g
Monounsaturated Fat	6 g
Sodium	154 mg
Trans Fat	1 g
Potassium	236 mg
Fiber	2 mg
Sugar	62 mg
Vitamin A	690 IU
Vitamin C	0.1 mg
Calcium	80 mg
Iron	1 mg

This recipe is not very healthy, and it cannot be enjoyed by people on various diets. It is not fit for vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free diets, or even dairy-free diets. However, people with tree nut allergies can enjoy this pudding easily.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: Vegans can enjoy this recipe by replacing all dairy products with plant-based alternatives, such as plant-based milk, cream, and butter. Similarly, I add applesauce to this recipe for a vegan version, or even silken tofu in the same quantity, instead of eggs.
Gluten-Free Diet: For a gluten-free diet, my recommendation is to replace the all-purpose flour with regular gluten-free flour or almond flour of the same quantity.
Alcohol-Free Diet: If you don’t consume alcohol, replace the bourbon in this recipe with a few dashes of vanilla extract for a rich flavor.

Eating Gordon Ramsay Sticky Toffee Pudding

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Have you made a few too many portions of sticky toffee pudding? Don’t worry! I have mentioned some of the best ways to store and reheat this pudding and sauce to preserve the best flavor.

Storing This Recipe

Refrigerator: Transfer the pudding and toffee sauce to separate airtight containers, then place them in the fridge. This way, you can enjoy your leftover sticky toffee pudding a day or two after making it.
Freezer: Similar to storing in the refrigerator, I’d suggest transferring your pudding and sauce to two airtight containers or Ziploc bags to eliminate excess air. You can place them in the freezer for up to two months. Ensure you thaw them both before reheating.

Reheating This Recipe

Microwave: You can enjoy the pudding at room temperature or hot. If you would like the pudding hot, I recommend heating it separately from the sauce in the microwave in 30-second intervals at the highest heat setting until it is hot to the touch. Similarly, you can transfer the sauce to a microwave-safe container and heat it for 30-second intervals, again at the highest heat setting, until it is piping hot.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Sticky Toffee Pudding is a complete dessert and very satisfying. My favorite and all-time classic will always be freshly churned vanilla ice cream, for its cold texture and subtle flavor.

If vanilla ice cream is too basic for you, you can even try Banana Ice Cream, which works well with this pudding, too. Other than that, I often also go for Whipped Cream and clotted cream. For drink options, you can pair this toffee pudding with Iced Tea, Coffee, or Mulled Wine.

Printable Version

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Conclusion

I don’t know about you, but just writing this post has made me crave some delicious sticky toffee pudding. The best part about this recipe, aside from being simple, is that it can be easily customized in various ways. If you want, you can add more bourbon or spiced rum to the pudding itself for extra flavor.

When you try this recipe, whether it is the original or a variation, let me know in the comments how it turned out for you. You can also tag us whenever you try this recipe out! Now, you enjoy baking, and remember, it is not as tough as it seems!