Sticky Toffee Pudding Without Dates

Our answer

Nigella's Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding (from NIGELLA EXPRESS) contains chopped dates. In a classic sticky toffee pudding the dates are soaked and pureed, or mashed, and become part of the pudding batter. However in Nigella's version the chopped dates are more of an add-in and are chopped and stirred into the batter. This makes it much easier to substitute the dates for a different ingredient, though the pudding may not quite have the treacly flavour that comes from the dates.

Pecan nuts or walnuts could be used as alternatives, though will have a different texture to the dates, and you would use the same weight as for the dates, or less if you prefer. For dried fruits then dried apricots could also be an alternative, particularly the dark-coloured unsulphured ones, though as mentioned their flavour is different to the dates.