What can I say about this slow cooker toffee pudding? It’s the ultimate comfort dessert, and honestly, I could eat it every day if I had the chance! There’s something satisfying about making this dessert in the slow cooker – just pop in the ingredients, set it, and forget it, knowing that a few hours later you’ll be rewarded with a warm, indulgent treat. And let’s not forget the best part – serving it with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s pure heaven!
One of the things I love most about this slow cooker sticky toffee pudding is how easy it is to make. The slow cooker does all the hard work for you, so all you have to do is prepare the ingredients, set it to cook, and go about your day. When you return, you’re greeted with the heavenly aroma of toffee, warm sponge, and buttery goodness filling your kitchen. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of coming home to the promise of a sweet, comforting dessert.
Now, picture slicing into the pudding, the knife gliding smoothly through its moist, tender crumb. As you take your first bite, the dense, buttery texture melts effortlessly on your tongue, delivering a delightful blend of sweetness and depth that makes each mouthful better than the last. The toffee sauce, silky and decadent, cascades over each serving, adding an irresistible richness that perfectly complements the sponge. It’s a dessert that’s impossible to resist.
It’s the perfect indulgence for any occasion, or simply as a treat when you need something sweet to brighten your day.
You can find this sticky toffee pudding recipe on page 173 of The Ultimate Slow Cooker Cookbook.
PREP 40 minutes
COOK 8 hours on low
SERVES 6 people
KIT you will need a slow cooker and oven dish.
Ingredients for slow cooker toffee pudding
125g of butter
250g of dates, stoned
125ml of boiling water
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
275g of brown sugar
325ml of double cream
5 tablespoon of treacle
2 large eggs, beaten
200g of self-raising flour
1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
sea salt
Method
Preheat your slow cooker on low for 10 minutes and check your pudding bowl fits when the lid is closed. And then grease your bowl with a tablespoon of the butter and line with baking paper.
Then pop the dates into a bowl and cover with the boiling water. And leave them to soak for 30 minutes until they soften.
Next put vanilla extract, 80g of sugar, the cream, half the treacle and half the butter into a pan. And stir over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Then turn up the heat for 3 more minutes.
Whisk the mixture and add a pinch of salt. And then pour a third of the mixture into your lined bowl, leaving the rest to reheat later for your sauce.
Then remove the dates from the bowl, reserving the water, and chop them. Then in a mixing bowl, stir together the remaining sugar, treacle and butter with the beaten eggs. Fold in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ¼ teaspoon of salt, the dates and soaking water. And then spoon the mixture into the pudding bowl, leaving about a 1cm gap at the top.
Cover with greased baking paper and tin foil, but then make a central cut to allow the steam to escape and tie with string. Place the bowl inside your cooker. And boil the kettle and pour in the water to fill halfway up the bowl. Then close the lid of the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.
So then carefully remove the bowl from your slow cooker. But run a knife around the edge before turning out onto a plate. And when you serve, reheat the remaining sauce to pour over your slow cooked sticky toffee pudding.
Then serve with clotted cream, custard or ice cream.
Tips for Slow Cooker Toffee Pudding
Sticky toffee pudding is a classic, comforting dessert that’s even easier when made in a slow cooker. Here are some top tips to get a rich, moist, and utterly delicious pudding every time:
1. Use good-quality dates
The sticky toffee flavour really comes from the dates, so opt for fresh or good-quality dried Medjool dates. Chop them finely or blitz in a food processor to help them blend smoothly into the batter.
2. Don’t skip soaking the dates
Soaking dates in hot water (or tea/coffee for extra depth) before adding them to the batter softens them and helps create that moist, sticky texture.
3. Grease your slow cooker well
Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with butter or oil to prevent the pudding from sticking. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
4. Mix batter gently
Fold the wet and dry ingredients together carefully to avoid overmixing, which can make the pudding tough. A light, airy batter will bake up moist and tender.
5. Keep the lid on
Avoid lifting the lid during cooking, as this lets steam escape and can dry out the pudding. The slow cooker relies on steam for moist cooking.
6. Cooking time varies
Most slow cookers take 2 to 3 hours on low to cook sticky toffee pudding perfectly. Test with a skewer in the centre and it should come out clean or with moist crumbs, never wet batter.
7. Prepare the toffee sauce ahead
Make your sticky toffee sauce while the pudding cooks, so you can pour it over while the pudding is still warm and soak up all that caramel goodness.
8. Serve warm
Sticky toffee pudding is best served warm with custard, cream, or ice cream for that classic indulgence.
9. Store leftovers properly
Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Similar recipes
If you’ve enjoyed this sticky toffee pudding, there’s so much more to discover in The Ultimate Slow Cooker Cookbook. The recipes are designed to make the most of your slow cooker, delivering big flavour with minimal effort, whether you’re cooking for a crowd or planning ahead for the week.
For comforting drinks and desserts, the Mulled Wine is perfect for festive gatherings, gently infused with warming spices. While Festive Slow Cooker Baked Apples are ideal when you want a hands-off sweet treat that feels truly special.
If you’re looking for hearty, nourishing meals, the Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash and Spinach Curry is packed with colour and spice. While Squash and Coconut Soup and classic Chicken Soup are perfect for cosy evenings or make-ahead lunches. Vegetable lovers will also enjoy the Veggie Lancashire Hot Pot, a slow-cooked classic that’s both comforting and satisfying.
For something a little more adventurous, try the bold flavours of Shakshuka for brunch or Beef Tacos. Or the rich, smoky Cowgirl Stew, both ideal for feeding family and friends. The Butterbean, Pesto and Chorizo Stew is another favourite, combining simple ingredients into a deeply flavourful dish.
Seafood fans will love the fragrant Red Thai Prawn Noodles. While the Honey and Hoisin Duck Wraps make an effortless yet impressive midweek meal. For a true centrepiece. The Whole Chicken Cooked in Cider delivers tender meat and a beautifully savoury sauce with hardly any effort at all.
Together, these recipes show just how versatile your slow cooker can be. From breakfasts and soups to family dinners, desserts and even drinks.
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