This healthy sticky toffee pudding recipe is made with wholesome ingredients like softened medjool dates, oat flour, and olive oil. The cake is topped with a simple caramel sauce made with almond butter and maple syrup. Refined sugar-free, gluten free, dairy-free, and moist, this healthy dessert is a cozy, all natural treat!

WHY I MADE THIS HEALTHY STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING RECIPE

I am a sucker for sticky toffee pudding. The first time I had it was during a trip to England a little over ten years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. If you scroll back through my blog archives, you’ll find recipes for Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding and for Banoffee Pie, both which were inspired by that family vacation!

If you’ve never had it, sticky toffee pudding is a classic British dessert made with three components: a rich, decadent cake, creamy caramel sauce, and it’s often topped with ice cream or whipped cream. It’s simultaneously rich, sticky, sweet, and moreish, and I love it so much that I just knew I had to make it for myself!

But, knowing me, I knew that I wanted to make a version of sticky toffee pudding that was healthier than the traditional recipe. So, my version of sticky toffee pudding uses ingredients like coconut sugar, olive oil, oat flour, almond butter, and maple syrup to create those same delicious flavors without the use of heavy ingredients like cream, butter, or brown sugar.

And, I think this recipe is pretty delicious. It’s best served with vanilla ice cream, but there are no rules here. The only rule is that if you love it, you have to leave a review and tell me all about it. I can’t wait for you to try this one!

MY BETTER STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING RECIPE

The full instructions on how to make this healthy sticky toffee cake is in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post, but here’s a quick overview of how to make it.

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to view the full recipe and get all of the measurements and instructions!

• Soften the Dates: Place the chopped dates in a heat-proof bowl. Sprinkle with baking soda, and then pour the boiling water over the dates. Optional: Place the black tea bag or infuser with black tea in the bowl.
• Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake: In a large bowl, mix together the egg, olive oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla. Add in the oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, and gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until smooth. Pour the batter into the baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Simple Caramel Sauce: Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth. If the caramel is too thick, add a splash of milk and mix again until the desired consistency is reached.
• Serve: Slice the cake, and serve with caramel sauce poured over the cake slices. Best served with ice cream, and additional caramel sauce!

HEALTHY STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING KEY INGREDIENTS

The full ingredients list is in the recipe card below, so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see what you need to make this recipe!

Here is a quick overview of what you need to make this healthy cake at home:

• Medjool Dates: The star of this sticky toffee pudding! Medjool dates are naturally soft, sweet, and caramel-y, giving the cake its signature sticky texture and deep flavors.
• Black Tea (Optional): The black tea enhances the rich flavors in this cake, and balances the sweetness. It’s 100% optional but adds a lovely complexity that I think you’ll enjoy!
• Olive Oil: Instead of butter, I use olive oil to add moisture and healthy fats. It keeps the cake soft and tender while also making this recipe dairy-free.
• Coconut Sugar: An unrefined sweetener with a subtle caramel-like flavor that pairs beautifully with the dates!
• Oat Flour: A wholesome, fiber-rich flour that keeps the cake soft and hearty. I make my own oat flour at home by blitzing whole oats in a food processor, but you can also find oat flour in many grocery stores. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats, if you follow a gluten free diet.
• Almond Butter: The base of our healthier caramel sauce. Almond butter creates a creamy, rich texture that mimics traditional caramel without cream or butter.
• Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens the sauce while adding a true caramel-like flavor.

HOW LONG DOES THIS HEALTHY STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING TAKE TO MAKE?

This healthier homemade sticky toffee pudding recipe has a few different components to it, but they all come together quickly and easily.

Multitasking also makes this recipe easier: while the dates are soaking, go ahead and prepare the simple caramel sauce, or start on the cake batter. This way, you can maximize your time and whip up this sticky toffee pudding cake quickly and easily.

Here’s an overview of how long it takes to make this sticky toffee pudding:

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Bake time: 25 minutes

In total, this healthy sticky toffee pudding will take about 45 minutes total to make!

HOW TO STORE THIS STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING?

I recommend storing the sticky toffee pudding cake and simple caramel sauce separately to avoid making the cake too soggy over time.

Store leftover cake slices and caramel sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 4–5 days. When ready to serve, warm up the caramel sauce and pour it on top of the cake!

OAT FLOUR STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING FAQ

1. Is this sticky toffee pudding actually healthy?

In my opinion, yes! My homemade sticky toffee pudding cake is made with wholesome ingredients like Medjool dates, oat flour, olive oil, almond butter, and maple syrup. It’s naturally sweetened (refined sugar free), and contains fiber from the dates and oat flour. While it’s still a dessert, it’s a more wholesome option compared to traditional sticky toffee pudding.

2. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! As long as your oat flour is certified gluten-free, this recipe is completely gluten-free.

3. Is this sticky toffee pudding dairy-free?

It already is! This recipe contains no butter, cream, or dairy. If you end up needing to add milk to thin the caramel sauce, use any plant-based milk to keep it dairy-free, and serve with non-dairy ice cream.

4. Why add baking soda to the dates?

When soaking the dates, the baking soda reacts with the hot water to quickly soften the dates and break them down more quickly.

5. Do I need to add the black tea?

No, the black tea is 100% optional. Brewing the tea with the dates adds a subtle depth of flavor and richness, but this recipe still works beautifully without it.

6. Can I make this egg-free?

I haven’t tried it for this recipe, but if you avoid eggs you can try replacing the egg with a flax egg instead. To make a flax egg, combine 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water in a small bowl, and rest for 5 minutes.

7. How should I store leftover sticky toffee pudding?

I recommend storing the cake and caramel sauce separately to avoid making the cake super soggy over time. Store leftover cake slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. Warm up the caramel sauce, and pour on top of the cake when ready to serve.

8. Is the caramel sauce refined sugar-free?

Yes! The sauce is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and gets its richness from almond butter instead of cream or butter.

9. What should I serve with the sticky toffee pudding?

• Vanilla ice cream
• Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt
• Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

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If you love this recipe be sure to leave a review! And feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments via my Contact page. You’ll hear back from me soon!

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