Share this to:

Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of a classic British dessert with this easy Slow Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding. This recipe brings a delightful twist to the traditional sticky toffee pudding by utilizing a slow cooker, making it incredibly convenient and perfect for any occasion. Imagine a moist, date-studded sponge cake drenched in a luscious toffee sauce – that’s precisely what this recipe delivers!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Preparation: Let your slow cooker do all the work! This recipe requires minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for busy individuals or when you’re hosting a gathering.
• Incredibly Moist and Flavorful: Slow cooking ensures the pudding remains incredibly moist and allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Self-Saucing Magic: The slow cooker creates a magical self-saucing effect, eliminating the need for a separate sauce preparation.
• Perfect for Entertaining: Impress your guests with this decadent dessert that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Origin of Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is a relatively modern dessert, believed to have originated in the village of Cartmel in the Lake District, England, in the late 1960s. Francis Coulson, who ran the Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel with his partner Brian Sack, claimed to have invented it. However, other sources attribute the recipe to a woman from Lancashire who shared it with Coulson. Regardless of its precise origin, sticky toffee pudding has become a beloved British classic, enjoyed worldwide for its rich, comforting flavors.

Ingredients

• 20g Unsalted butter, at room temperature, for greasing
• 175g Pitted dates, very finely chopped
• 100ml Boiling water
• 75g Unsalted butter, room temperature
• 150g Dark muscovado sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 175g Self-raising flour
• 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 150g Dark muscovado sugar (for topping)
• 400ml Boiling water (for topping)

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Mixing bowl
• Electric whisk (optional)

How to Make Slow Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding

1. Prepare the Dates: Chop the dates finely, place them in a small bowl, and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 30 minutes.
2. Grease the Slow Cooker: Generously grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter. For ceramic slow cookers, lining with baking paper is recommended to prevent sticking.
3. Make the Pudding Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, dark muscovado sugar, eggs, self-raising flour, bicarbonate of soda, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth using an electric whisk if available.
4. Fold in the Dates: Drain the soaked dates, discarding the water. Gently fold the dates into the pudding batter.
5. Pour into Slow Cooker: Pour the batter into the prepared slow cooker and smooth the surface.
6. Add the Topping: Sprinkle the dark muscovado sugar evenly over the top of the pudding batter. Carefully pour the boiling water over the sugar-coated batter.
7. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 1.5 to 2.5 hours, or until the cake is firm in the middle.
8. Serve: Serve immediately, allowing the self-made sauce to coat each delicious spoonful.

Cooking Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

• Finely Chop Dates: Ensure the dates are finely chopped to integrate seamlessly into the batter.
• Don’t Skip Soaking: Soaking the dates softens them and adds moisture to the pudding.
• Grease Thoroughly: Proper greasing prevents the pudding from sticking to the slow cooker. Lining with baking paper is recommended for ceramic slow cookers.
• Keep the Faith: The addition of boiling water may seem odd, but it’s essential for creating the self-saucing effect.
• Check for Doneness: Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker. Check for firmness in the center before serving.

Serving Tips

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing.
• Custard or Clotted Cream: Enhance the richness with a dollop of custard or clotted cream.
• Caramel Sauce: For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with additional caramel sauce.

Health Benefits of Ingredients

While Sticky Toffee Pudding is undoubtedly a treat, some of its ingredients offer nutritional benefits:

• Dates: Provide natural sweetness, fiber, and essential minerals.
• Eggs: A good source of protein and various vitamins.

Interesting Facts

• Slow Cooker Sticky Toffee Pudding is a convenient twist on the traditional steamed version.
• The self-saucing effect is achieved by pouring boiling water over the sugar-coated batter before cooking.

Summarized Recipe

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter, for greasing
• Pitted dates, finely chopped
• Boiling water
• Unsalted butter, room temperature
• Dark muscovado sugar
• Eggs
• Self-raising flour
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Vanilla extract
• Dark muscovado sugar (for topping)
• Boiling water (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Soak chopped dates in boiling water for 30 minutes.
2. Grease slow cooker.
3. Mix butter, sugar, eggs, flour, bicarb, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Fold in soaked dates.
5. Pour batter into slow cooker.
6. Sprinkle sugar over batter, then pour boiling water over sugar.
7. Cook on high for 1.5-2.5 hours, until firm.
8. Serve warm with ice cream or custard.

Enjoy this comforting, indulgent dessert with minimal effort!

Share this to: