This rich Sticky Date Cake combines a moist, tender sponge with a luxurious homemade toffee sauce for the ultimate comfort dessert. Using fresh Medjool dates and a warm soak method ensures a deeply caramelized flavor without the dense heaviness often found in other dates dessert recipes. It comes together easily and rivals any restaurant version I have tasted in years.
Why This Sticky Date Cake Recipe Is Worth Making
Most recipes rely on chopping dried dates and hoping they soften in the oven, but that often leads to a gritty texture. I found that soaking the dates in boiling water with baking soda before mixing them into the batter creates a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth crumb every single time. This technique breaks down the fibers and distributes the natural sweetness evenly throughout the sponge. The result is a Sticky Date Cake that is incredibly moist and acts as the perfect vehicle for the buttery toffee sauce.
Jump to:
- Why This Sticky Date Cake Recipe Is Worth Making
- Everything You Need for Sticky Date Cake
- How to Prepare This Sticky Date Cake Recipe
- Top Tip
- Variations & Substitutions
- Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- The Story Behind This Sticky Date Cake Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Sticky Date Cake
- Related
- Pairing
Everything You Need for Sticky Date Cake
Main Ingredients
Medjool Dates These large, soft dates provide the best texture and natural caramel flavor for the base. If you use drier varieties like Deglet Noor, you must soak them for an extra ten minutes to ensure they soften completely.
Baking Soda This is crucial for both leavening and softening the dates. It reacts with the acidity in the fruit to break down the skins and creates the signature dark color of a classic sticky date pudding recipe.
Boiling Water You need water at a rolling boil to properly steep the dates. This liquid gets incorporated into the batter, adding essential moisture that keeps the cake soft for days.
Unsalted Butter Using softened butter allows it to cream properly with the sugar, creating a lighter structure than oil-based versions. You will also need butter for the sauce to achieve that glossy, rich finish.
Dark Brown Sugar The molasses content in dark brown sugar deepens the flavor profile and complements the dates perfectly. It helps create a moist crumb that white sugar simply cannot achieve in this date loaf recipe.
Heavy Cream This is the base of your toffee sauce. High-fat heavy cream ensures the sauce thickens correctly and coats the cake without becoming greasy or separating.
Optional Ingredients
Vanilla Bean Paste Adding a teaspoon boosts the aromatic quality of both the sponge and the sauce.
Sea Salt Flakes A pinch of flaky salt on top cuts through the sweetness and balances the rich toffee flavors.
Find Exact Measurements in the Recipe Card Below
How to Prepare This Sticky Date Cake Recipe
Soak the Dates
Combine the chopped dates and baking soda in a heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling water over them and let the mixture sit for twenty minutes. The dates will break down and the liquid will turn dark and opaque.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter, vanilla, and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture looks pale and creamy. This step incorporates air into the batter so your Sticky Date Cake lifts properly in the oven.
Incorporate the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Make sure the first egg is fully fully incorporated before adding the next to prevent the batter from curdling.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Sift the flour and baking powder into the butter mixture and fold gently until just combined. Pour in the entire date mixture, including the liquid, and stir until you have a loose, dark batter.
Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into a lined square baking tin and bake until the top springs back when touched. A skewer inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Simmer the Toffee Sauce
Combine butter, sugar, and cream in a saucepan over medium heat while the cake bakes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for five minutes until the sauce deepens in color and coats the back of a spoon.
Serving Note: Serve warm slices generously drenched in toffee sauce and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the full experience.
Top Tip
- Check Date Freshness – If your dates are very dry or hard, chop them smaller and extend the soaking time by ten minutes to avoid tough chunks in your Sticky Date Cake.
- Do Not Overmix – Once you add the flour and liquid, mix only until the flour streaks disappear. Overworking the gluten will result in a rubbery texture rather than a tender crumb.
- Watch the Sauce – Keep the heat at a medium simmer for the toffee sauce. Boiling it too aggressively can cause the butter to separate from the sugar, leaving you with a greasy layer on top.
- Test for Doneness Early – Ovens vary, so check the cake five minutes before the timer goes off. It is ready when the center feels firm to the touch but still has a slight bounce.
Variations & Substitutions
Gluten-Free Sticky Date Cake
Swap the all-purpose flour for a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. I have tested this with several brands, and as long as the blend contains xanthan gum, the texture remains surprisingly close to the original.
Spiced Date Cake
Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom to the flour mixture. This variation warms up the flavor profile and makes it taste more like a traditional holiday date pudding recipe.
Individual Puddings
Instead of one large cake, bake the batter in greased muffin tins or ramekins. Reduce the baking time to twenty minutes to create cute, single-serve portions perfect for dinner parties.
Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
Refrigerator
Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. The Sticky Date Cake actually becomes fudgier as it sits, making it a great make-ahead dessert option.
Freezer
Wrap individual slices of the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Freeze the sauce separately in a jar, then thaw both overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Warm slices in the microwave for thirty seconds or in a low oven until heated through. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove, adding a splash of cream if it has thickened too much in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Vanilla Ice Cream
The contrast between the hot, saucy cake and cold vanilla bean ice cream is unbeatable. This is the traditional way to serve sticky toffee cake with dates and balances the intense sweetness.
Whipped Cream or Custard
A dollop of unsweetened whipped cream cuts through the richness of the toffee. For a warmer option, pour hot vanilla custard over the slice for pure comfort food bliss.
Toasted Nuts
Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the sauce just before serving. The crunch adds a necessary texture contrast to the soft sponge and smooth sauce.
The Story Behind This Sticky Date Cake Recipe
I spent weeks trying to recreate the Sticky Date Cake I had at a small bistro years ago. My early attempts were often too dry or lacked that deep, molasses-like flavor I remembered. I realized the mistake I was making was draining the dates after soaking them. By keeping the soaking liquid and incorporating it into the batter, I finally achieved that incredibly moist, dark sponge that defines a truly great date cake.
After testing this Sticky Date Cake over a dozen times, I found that the ratio of baking soda to dates is the real secret. It softens the fruit skins completely so they melt into the batter, giving you a smooth texture without needing a blender. It has become my most requested dessert for family gatherings, and even people who claim they dislike dates end up asking for a second slice.
Similar Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- Classic Butterscotch Pudding
- Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular dates instead of Medjool?
Yes, you can use regular Deglet Noor dates for this recipe. Since they are smaller and drier, make sure to chop them finely and soak them for the full twenty minutes to ensure they soften enough for the Sticky Date Cake.
Why did my Sticky Date Cake sink in the middle?
Sinking usually happens if the oven door was opened too early or the cake was underbaked. Ensure the center is set and springs back to the touch before removing it from the oven to keep the structure intact.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the toffee sauce can be made up to three days in advance. Store it in a jar in the fridge and gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before pouring it over the warm cake.
Is this the same as sticky toffee pudding?
Essentially, yes. In the UK and Australia, this dish is known as sticky toffee pudding, while in the US, it is often called sticky date cake. Both feature a date-based sponge soaked in toffee sauce.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoyed this decadent dessert, you should definitely try my Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe for a comforting main course before the sweet treat. For a fun twist on sides, check out the Texas Toast Garlic Bread Pizza, or try the Cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Sticky Date Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Place chopped dates and baking soda in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and let stand for 20 minutes.
- Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully.
- Fold in the sifted flour and baking powder, followed by the date mixture (including liquid).
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
- Simmer cream, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Serve warm slices topped generously with sauce and ice cream.
Nutrition
Notes
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Pairing
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