Heavenly Sticky Toffee Cake Recipe by Ina Garten – Sweet Magic

Decadent desserts have a way of stealing the show, and Ina Garten’s sticky toffee cake recipe does exactly that with its irresistible charm.

This classic British treat brings warmth and indulgence to any table, promising a mouthwatering experience that lingers long after the last bite.

Rich, moist, and utterly delectable, the cake combines deep caramel notes with tender dates for an unforgettable dessert.

The recipe balances sweetness and complexity in a way that turns an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.

Layers of flavor meld together, creating a luxurious dessert that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Each slice tells a story of carefully selected ingredients and thoughtful preparation.

Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that’s sure to become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 372 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Sticky Toffee Cake by Ina

• Dates: Provide rich, caramel-like sweetness and incredible moisture to the cake, choose plump and soft varieties for best texture..
• Boiling Water: Softens dates and helps create a tender cake crumb, use freshly boiled water for optimal results..
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor depth, select pure vanilla extract for most authentic taste..
• Baking Soda: Helps dates break down and creates tender cake texture, ensure it's fresh and not expired..

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for cake, look for unbleached flour for better taste..
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light, check expiration date for maximum effectiveness..
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution..

• Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb and adds luxurious flavor, use unsalted butter for precise sweetness control..
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's caramelization, choose fine-grain sugar for smoother texture..
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, use room temperature eggs for better incorporation..

• Sugar: Creates deep caramel base for sauce, use white granulated sugar for classic flavor..
• Butter: Adds richness and silky texture to sauce, select high-quality unsalted butter..
• Heavy Cream: Provides smoothness and luxurious mouthfeel, choose full-fat cream for best results..
• Salt: Enhances sauce's complexity and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution..

Optional.

Tools to Get That Perfect Sticky Texture

• Electric mixer (handheld or stand): Essential for creaming butter and sugar to create a fluffy base.
• Medium bowls (2): One for date mixture, another for creaming butter and sugar.
• Small bowl: For mixing dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• Ramekins (6-8, 6 ounces) or 8×8/9×9-inch baking pan: Determines cake's shape and serving style.
• Cooking spray or butter: Ensures easy cake removal.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Guarantees precise ingredient amounts.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake's doneness.
• Pot: Used for creating the toffee sauce.
• Spatula: Helps fold dates into batter and scrape mixtures.

How to Bake Ina Garten’s Sticky Toffee Cake

Cozy Date Cake Adventure

• Oven Preparation Kitchen setup for a warm, inviting baking experience. Preheat your oven to a toasty 350 degrees F and lovingly coat your chosen baking vessel with a light spray or butter.
• Date Magic Softening the sweet, chewy dates by drowning them in steaming water creates a luxurious base. Let the dates mingle with baking soda and vanilla, relaxing together for a delightful 15-minute spa moment.
• Butter Bliss Cream together butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that whispers promises of deliciousness. This gentle dance takes just a few minutes of tender mixing.
• Egg Embrace Gently introduce eggs to the buttery wonderland, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the growing symphony of flavors.
• Dry Ingredient Symphony Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, creating a light and airy dry mixture waiting to join the party.
• Batter Harmony Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a gentle touch, keeping the batter relaxed and just barely combined. Invite the softened dates to join the celebration.
• Pan Poetry Fill your chosen baking vessel about two-thirds full, ensuring even distribution of the cake's potential.
• Baking Meditation Watch your cake transform in the oven. For square pans, this takes about 22-25 minutes; ramekins need slightly less time. Look for a golden top that springs back when touched and a clean toothpick test.
• Toffee Sauce Passion In a cozy pot, combine sugar, butter, cream, and salt. Let them dance together over low heat, becoming a smooth, irresistible sauce that takes 5-7 minutes of loving attention.
• Final Flourish Drizzle the warm toffee sauce over your cake, optionally sprinkling with pecans or adding a splash of cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

Ways to Tweak Sticky Toffee Flavor

• Expert Tips for Sticky Toffee Cake
• Crush or chop dates finely before soaking to help them distribute more evenly throughout the cake batter, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
• Swap pecans for toasted walnuts, almonds, or even candied macadamia nuts to add your personal touch and create a unique texture contrast.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent dryness; start testing at the minimum baking time and insert a toothpick gently to ensure a moist, tender crumb.
• Warm the toffee sauce just before serving to maintain its silky consistency and create a luxurious cascading effect over the warm cake.
• Prepare the cake and toffee sauce separately up to two days in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator and reheating gently before serving for a stress-free dessert experience.

Serve Sticky Toffee Cake Warm and Sweet

• Elevate Your Dessert Experience: Serving suggestions that will make this Sticky Toffee Cake absolutely irresistible!
• Warm Indulgence: Serve the cake slightly warm for an ooey-gooey texture that melts in your mouth, making each bite pure bliss.
• Creamy Companion: Top with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to create a delightful contrast between the warm cake and cold, smooth ice cream.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pecans over the toffee sauce for an added layer of texture and a rich, buttery flavor that complements the sweet cake perfectly.
• Elegant Finish: Drizzle a teaspoon of heavy cream over the top for a luxurious touch that adds a silky richness to this already decadent dessert.

Save Leftovers of Sticky Toffee for Dessert Later

• Strategically Portion Servings: Cut the cake into individual portions for easy grab-and-go desserts during the week. Store each slice in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Refrigerate with Care: Keep the sticky toffee cake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in a sealed container to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen cake can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving for best texture and taste.
• Reheat for Maximum Deliciousness: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. Add a fresh drizzle of toffee sauce to revive the cake's original gooey goodness.

Luscious Ina Garten Sticky Toffee Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s sticky toffee cake delivers rich, complex flavors from classic British dessert traditions. Warm caramel notes and deep date sweetness invite home cooks to savor each delectable slice with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 6 oz (170 g) dates, pitted and finely chopped (about 8–10 medjool dates)
• 1 ¼ cups (178 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (159 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (159 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Pinch of coarse, kosher salt
• ¾ cup boiling water
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 6 tbsps (85 g) butter, softened
• ½ cup (113 g) butter
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• Additional heavy whipping cream for drizzling (optional)
• ¼ to ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease ramekins or a square baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. Date Infusion: Combine chopped dates, boiling water, baking soda, and vanilla extract. Let steep for 15 minutes to soften and meld flavors.
3. Creaming Process: Whip butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light, fluffy, and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Egg Integration: Blend eggs into the butter-sugar mixture until smooth and fully incorporated.
5. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together to ensure even distribution.
6. Batter Construction: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. Fold in softened date mixture until evenly distributed.
7. Baking Stage: Fill ramekins two-thirds full or spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 18-25 minutes, depending on container. Check doneness with a toothpick that comes out clean and cake surface springs back when touched.
8. Caramel Sauce Preparation: In a saucepan, combine sugar, butter, cream, and salt. Simmer over low heat, stirring continuously for 5-7 minutes until smooth and glossy.
9. Serving: Cool cakes completely or serve slightly warm. Plate individual portions, drizzle with warm caramel sauce, and optionally garnish with chopped pecans and a light cream drizzle.

Notes

• Soften Dates Perfectly: Boiling water helps break down dates, creating a moist, tender cake texture with rich, concentrated sweetness.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gentle folding prevents tough, dense cake by preserving air pockets and maintaining a delicate, tender crumb.
• Check Cake Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test and light touch method to ensure perfectly baked cake without overbaking or drying out.
• Create Silky Caramel Sauce: Low, slow heating and constant stirring prevents burning and guarantees a smooth, glossy caramel with deep, rich flavor.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 372
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg