Will The Sticky Toffee Pudding Be Edible With Whole Dates?

Our answer

Ngella's Sticky Toffee Pudding (from AT MY TABLE) is a slightly more adult version of the traditional sponge pudding, with the treacle providing a slightly bitter edge. But Nigella's recipe does use dates to provide sweetness and body to the sponge.

You mention that the dates were not chopped but were soaked. The recipe method also suggests mashing the dates after soaking and we are not sure if that was done or not. If they were mashed then it is likely that the dates will have partially cooked into the sponge and it will be fine, though you may find the odd larger piece of date. If they were still left fairly whole then the dates may have sunk to the bottom of the sponge but you should be able to cut them with a spoon when you serve the pudding.