A twist on the classic, this Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding is made with no dates. Instead his one uses apples and apple cider for a lovely Fall and Winter dessert!
This apple sticky toffee pudding is a spin on the classic pudding, using apples instead of dates. It also features some chopped pecans for flavour and a bit of light crunch. The result is every bit as comforting as the original with a nice change in flavours and of course, made easily anytime with just a few apples..
Of course, one of the best parts of Sticky Toffee Pudding is the toffee sauce, so there’s plenty of it with this apple version as well.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Apples – while any apple will work here, the choice of apple will affect the finished dish to some degree. Baking apples are generally more tart and will hold their shape, while eating apples will be softer and more sweet.
Apple Cider – If you don’t have apple cider on hand, you can substitute apple juice, though unsweetened would be best. Unsweetened applesauce would work as well. I would maybe thin it slightly with a splash of hot water, then let stand until cooled before using. If using sweetened apple juice or applesauce, you may wish to reduce the sugar in the cake slightly. In a pinch, I think you could even just steep some cut up apples in a cup of boiling water, then remove the apples and use that liquid.
Recipe Tips
You can also make these in individual ramekins, for single servings. The size of ramekin doesn’t really matter, just bear in mind not to fill any more than 2/3 full (as they rise!), bake on a baking sheet (in case they spill over a bit) and test often as they bake, as baking time will be less.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream is nice on top to serve.
Top Tip!
Make it “for two” sized! For a nice dessert for 2 (or 3), simply halve the recipe and bake it up in a 6-inch skillet or similar sized baking dish. (Shown here is mine, baked in a 6.5-inch lodge cast iron skillet).
Making Ahead, Storing and Freezing
These sticky toffee puddings are best enjoyed freshly baked and warm. If you want to make them ahead, you can make them earlier in the day, cool, then cover. Reheat in a 350F oven, loosely covered with foil until warmed through. Don’t sauce until ready to serve.
The puddings and the sauce will freeze up to 2 months.
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Get the Recipe: Apple Sticky Toffee Pudding
Ingredients
For the pudding:
- 1 cup apple cider, *see notes below for substitution suggestions
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups apples , peeled, cored and roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup whole pecans, roughly chopped
For the Toffee Sauce:
- 9 Tablespoons butter, (1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, preferably dark
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 35% b.f.
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the apple cider over medium-high heat until boiling. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the baking soda. *Mixture will bubble up considerably so don't skimp on the saucepan size. Allow to cool while you prepare the rest of the batter. *You can also do in the microwave in a large bowl.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. (regular bake setting/not fan assisted). Butter or spray with cooking spray a 9x9 baking dish or a 10-inch top diameter cast iron skillet.
- In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and spices.
- Add half the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture. Mix to combine. Add half the cider and stir in. Add the rest of the flour and the rest of the cider, stirring after each addition. Add the diced apples and chopped pecans and stir to combine.
- Pour into prepared pan and place in preheated oven.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until it tests doneness with a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean and the top should be browned.
- Using a skewer, poke some holes all over the cake, then pour 1/2 of the toffee sauce over cake. Allow to stand a few minutes (to allow it to soak in), then pour the remaining toffee sauce over-top.
- For the Toffee Sauce (prepare when the puddings are baking): Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add in the brown sugar. Stir and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Slowly pour in the cream (will bubble up!) and reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. (Can be made ahead and re-warmed in the microwave before serving)
Notes
More Apple Dessert Recipes to Love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
This was delicious. I added some Rum that was cacao and honey rum and that put it over the top. I only poured half the sauce on the cake and saved the rest to drizzle on ice cream. So good. Made it in cast iron pan. I thought the batter was thin and was worried but all good. It’s so good.
So pleased you enjoyed it Francoise. Thanks so much!
Delicious!
Had a happy accident with the leftovers. I was taking it to my FiL’s place, along with a jar that I thought had the leftover toffee sauce in it. Turns out I had grabbed a jar with my homemade cherry pit vodka (vodka infused with cherry pits collected during canning season) and I didn’t realize my mistake until I had already splashed it on.
It was delicious both ways.
I love happy accidents! So glad you enjoyed it, Kari. Thanks so much :)
This is absolutely WONDERFUL! Ooey-gooey, sticky, tasty, oh so amazing. Can’t get enough of it. And of course – ice cream is a must to go with it.
Jennifer, you are my go to site for recipes. So many great tasting and delightful recipes!
So glad you enjoyed it, Patty! I’m such a fan of anything sticky-toffee :) Thanks so much.
Hello, I’m assuming the baking powder gets stirred in with the flour and spices. It didn’t say in the instructions so just double checking. Thanks!! This dessert looks so delicious. Will be trying it out for sure!!!
It does, Lola. I should have specified it. I have fixed it now :) Thanks and enjoy!
Your guidance sounds wonderful! Sticky toffee pudding is something I never heard of before a few weeks ago, while watching the Great British Baking Show! Even the name sounds good enough to eat! I’m trying to feature the last of my heritage apples with our own maple syrup here in New England. Is there a way to make toffee sauce with maple or honey? And last twist: I need it to be gluten free, but I ‘ll figure that out if you don’t!
Hi Meg, I think you could just use 1 for 1 gluten free flour for this one (haven’t tried it, but suspect it would work). As for the maple syrup, I see Martha Stewart has a maple toffee sauce you could try. Just hit up google :) Enjoy!
Jen,
the recipe is missing?????
Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding
Hello, Can this be made the day before?
Hi Dana and yes, it can. It should hold up very well being made ahead.