Alton Brown Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe

This Alton Brown Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe is a rich and indulgent dessert, which includes Medjool dates and dark brown sugar. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Alton Brown Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe Ingredients

Toffee Sauce:

• 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
• 4 1/2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup heavy cream

Pudding:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups pitted Medjool date meat, divided
• 3/4 cup water, boiling
• 1 large egg, plus 1 large yolk
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder

How To Make Alton Brown Sticky Toffee Pudding

1. Make the toffee sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add dark brown sugar, molasses, espresso powder, and salt. Whisk until smooth. When it starts to bubble at the edges, whisk in heavy cream and bring to a bare simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside.
2. Preheat and prep oven: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4. Soak and blend dates: In a food processor, combine 1 cup of dates with boiling water. Let sit 2 minutes, then pulse 3 times.
5. Blend wet ingredients: Add egg, yolk, melted butter, both sugars, vanilla, and espresso powder to the processor. Pulse 5 times.
6. Combine batter: Add dry ingredients and remaining 1/2 cup of dates. Pulse 3 times until just mixed.
7. Fill the pan: Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons of toffee sauce into each well of a greased 6-cup popover pan. Fill each cup 3/4 full with batter.
8. Bake and rotate: Bake for 11 minutes. Remove and tap pan 3 times to deflate. Rotate 180° and bake another 11 minutes until centers reach 210°F.
9. Soak with sauce: Place popover pan on a baking sheet. Loosen edges with a skewer, then pierce cakes several times. Pour 1 tablespoon toffee sauce over each and let soak for 30 minutes.
10. Broil and serve: Broil puddings until bubbly, 1–2 minutes. Run a skewer around each cake, invert onto a sheet pan, and release. Serve warm with more toffee sauce.

Recipe Tips

• Can I make this without a popover pan? Yes, use ramekins or a muffin tin, but adjust baking time slightly.
• How to know when the pudding is done? The center should register 210°F with an instant-read thermometer.
• Can I use light brown sugar instead? You can, but dark brown sugar gives the sauce deeper caramel flavor.
• What if I don’t have a food processor? Mash the dates well and mix wet ingredients by hand or with a hand mixer.
• Why espresso powder in dessert? It deepens the flavor and enhances the toffee richness without making it taste like coffee.

What To Serve With Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is best served warm with something cool or creamy. Try it with:

• A scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream
• Freshly whipped cream
• A drizzle of extra toffee sauce
• Light dusting of powdered sugar
• Coffee or spiced chai tea

How To Store Sticky Toffee Pudding

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven.

Freeze: Wrap each pudding tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.

Sticky Toffee Pudding Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 540
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 68g
• Sugar: 55g
• Protein: 4g
• Sodium: 260mg
• Fiber: 2g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make sticky toffee pudding ahead of time?
Yes, prepare and bake a day in advance, then reheat under the broiler before serving.

Can I substitute another dried fruit for dates?
Dates are traditional, but you can use dried figs or prunes for a similar texture.

What makes this pudding “sticky”?
The toffee sauce and moist date batter give it a gooey, sticky texture.

Can I reduce the sugar in the recipe?
You can reduce it slightly, but it may affect the sauce texture and cake moisture.

Is this dessert very sweet?
Yes, it’s rich and sweet—perfect for special occasions or a decadent treat.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Salisbury Steak Recipe
• Alton Brown Pumpkin Bread Recipe
• Alton Brown Monkey Bread Recipe