Sticky toffee pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is made from a soft sponge batter enriched with finely chopped dates that have been soaked in hot water, often with a little baking soda to soften them. Dark brown sugar or molasses gives the cake a deep color and caramel flavor. After baking, the warm sponge is covered with a sauce of butter, brown sugar and cream, which soaks into the crumb.

The pudding is closely linked with Cumbria in northwest England. It is said to have been first served at a hotel at Sharrow Bay on Ullswater, and the village of Cartmel later became famous for it, though the exact origin is debated. It is usually served with custard, cream or vanilla ice cream.