Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding
This Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding with Pumpkin Toffee Sauce is soft, warming, and perfectly cozy. The cake is spiced just right, baked until tender, and served warm with a rich pumpkin toffee sauce that soaks into every bite. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and you have the ultimate fall dessert that’s comforting, nostalgic, and irresistibly indulgent.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below.
Medjool dates
Salted butter
Baking soda
Baking powder
Boiling water
Pumpkin puree
Greek yogurt
Brown sugar (preferably dark)
Egg
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Cinnamon
Pumpkin pie spice
Salt
Heavy cream
Maple syrup
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding:
Soft and Tender Texture: The pudding bakes up moist and delicate, with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Pumpkin Twist on a Classic: A cozy autumn update to the traditional sticky toffee pudding, bringing in seasonal warmth and flavor.
Perfectly Spiced: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices highlight the pumpkin and make every bite taste like fall.
Rich Pumpkin Toffee Sauce: Buttery, caramel-like sauce infused with pumpkin soaks into the pudding, making it gooey and irresistible.
Sweet and Salty Balance: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt ties everything together and keeps the sweetness in check.
Best Served Warm: Straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s the ultimate comfort dessert.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The pudding and sauce can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.
Crowd-Pleasing: Nostalgic and indulgent, this dessert always impresses guests without being complicated to make.
Versatile Serving Options: Delicious on its own, with whipped cream, or with your favorite ice cream flavor.
Cozy Comfort Food: A dessert that feels like a warm hug on chilly fall nights.
Tips for Making Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding:
Use Smooth Pumpkin Purée: Make sure the purée is silky and lump-free so it blends easily into the batter. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugar and spices.
Don’t Skip the Soaking Step (if using dates): If your recipe uses chopped dates (like traditional sticky toffee pudding), soak them well so they soften and blend seamlessly into the batter.
Measure Flour Correctly: Weigh your flour or use the spoon-and-level method to prevent adding too much, which can make the pudding dense.
Spice Balance Matters: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cloves all work beautifully, but don’t overdo it. Let the pumpkin flavor still shine through.
Bake Until Just Set: The pudding should be baked until the edges are golden and the center is set but still moist. Overbaking can dry it out.
Make the Toffee Sauce in Advance: The pumpkin toffee sauce can be made ahead of time and rewarmed when serving. This makes hosting and prep much easier.
Reheat the Pudding Before Serving: A quick warm-up in the oven or microwave brings back the soft texture and makes the sauce soak in better.
Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: The contrast of warm pudding, cold ice cream, and gooey sauce is what makes this dessert unforgettable.
Sprinkle with Flaky Sea Salt: A light touch of salt cuts through the sweetness and enhances the toffee and pumpkin flavors.
Make It in Individual Portions: For a more elegant presentation, bake the pudding in ramekins instead of one large dish.
How to Store Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding:
Room Temperature: Store the pudding covered at room temperature for up to 1 day if you plan to serve it soon. Beyond that, refrigeration is best to keep it fresh.
Refrigerator: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4–5 days. Warm portions in the microwave or oven before serving, and drizzle with extra pumpkin toffee sauce.
Freezer (Unbaked): Assemble the pudding (without baking), wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Freezer (Baked): Cool the baked pudding completely, then wrap slices or portions individually and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
Pumpkin Toffee Sauce: Store the sauce separately in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Rewarm over low heat or in the microwave before pouring over the pudding.
Make-Ahead Option: Bake the pudding a day ahead, refrigerate, and reheat in the oven at 325°F before serving. Add fresh warm pumpkin toffee sauce and ice cream for the best flavor.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can bake the pudding a day in advance, refrigerate it, and reheat before serving. The sauce can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Q: Do I need to use fresh pumpkin or canned purée?
A: Canned pumpkin purée works perfectly as long as it’s plain and unsweetened. Fresh pumpkin purée can also be used, but make sure it’s smooth and not watery.
Q: How do I know when the pudding is baked through?
A: The edges should be golden and the center just set but still slightly soft. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Q: Can I freeze Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding?
A: Absolutely. Cool the pudding completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
A: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole pudding in a 325°F oven until warmed through. Always add warm pumpkin toffee sauce before serving.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes. Use a plant-based butter and non-dairy cream in the sauce, and a non-dairy milk in the batter. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Q: What should I serve with this pudding?
A: Vanilla ice cream is classic, but whipped cream or even a drizzle of heavy cream also pair beautifully with the warm pudding and pumpkin toffee sauce.
Check out my other pumpkin recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you try this pumpkin sticky toffee pudding. Happy baking!
