Dish
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Photo from
Proper Pies · Sunderland
The story
Sticky toffee pudding is a classic British dessert consisting of a moist, date-laden sponge cake drenched in a rich toffee sauce, typically served with custard, clotted cream, or vanilla ice cream. While its precise origin is debated, the modern version is widely credited to Francis Coulson of the Sharrow Bay Country House in Cumbria, who popularized it in the 1970s. The key ingredients are finely chopped Medjool dates, which provide natural sweetness and a dense, sticky texture; a simple batter of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs; and a luscious sauce made from brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. A great version is distinguished by an exceptionally moist, almost gooey crumb that is not overly sweet, with the date flavor subtly present rather than dominant. The toffee sauce should be deep, buttery, and poured generously so it soaks into the sponge.
Regional variations are minimal, but the quality of execution varies widely. In Cirencester, **Kidds** is praised for its rendition, as noted by *Where The Foodies Go*. In Edinburgh, **Burtis** offers a well-regarded take. For a pub-style version, **The Howard Arms** in Ilmington serves a classic interpretation. Across these venues, the best examples maintain a perfect balance of moisture and richness, ensuring the pudding is neither dry nor cloying.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review.
Where to eat it
8 places reviewed by YouTube creators.
London (3)
Sunderland (1)
St Albans (1)
Ilmington (1)
Cirencester (1)
Edinburgh (1)
What creators say
Highlights from 6 creator reviews of Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Proper Pies is an incredible pie shop in Sunderland run by Si King of the Hairy Bikers, serving proper northern comfort food like mince and dumplings, ragu pie, and more — it's some of the best comfort food I've ever had, and a must-visit for any human who needs to eat.
A fantastic pub with a historic setting, offering elevated British classics like the famous X Dairy Cow steak and an incredible burger. The atmosphere is upmarket and welcoming, making it a must-visit in St Albans.
The Hound is a gorgeous pub in Chiswick serving elevated pub classics with incredible attention to detail — the scotch egg, Wagyu hot dog, and sticky toffee pudding are all excellent.
The Hound · LondonlovedRules is the oldest continually open restaurant in London since 1798, serving classic British food in a breathtaking museum-like setting with incredible quality and history.
Rules · LondonlovedThe Devonshire is the busiest pub in London, serving 20,000 pints of Guinness a week, and it serves the best Sunday roast I've ever had along with an incredible à la carte menu featuring live-fire grilled meats and seafood — every single dish is top quality and the whole experience is unforgettable.
One of the best pubs in the area, in a tiny village, serving an excellent Sunday roast with great vegetables and a phenomenal sticky toffee pudding.