Sarah Hayward

The Architecture of a British Icon Sticky toffee pudding remains the ultimate test of a pastry chef’s restraint. While often dismissed as a heavy, sugary relic of the 1970s, the version served at The Coach by Sarah Hayward proves that technical precision can elevate it to Michelin standards. The goal is a sponge that acts as a structural sponge for caramel, necessitating a specific balance of fats and sugars that many home cooks overlook. Essential Culinary Toolkit To execute this recipe, you will need a high-speed blender, a standard loaf tin, greaseproof paper, and a wire rack. The ingredient list is precise: 175g of chopped dates, 100ml of Americano-strength coffee, 100ml water, 50g of beef suet, 175g dark muscovado sugar, and two free-range eggs. For the flour base, use 175g of self-raising flour with a rounded teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. The sauce requires 250ml whipping cream, 80g muscovado, 80g butter, and 10g of soy sauce. Building the Moisture Base Success begins with the dates. Split them into two batches: two-thirds for the base and one-third for texture. Pour boiling coffee and vanilla over the larger batch and steep for thirty minutes. This infusion softens the fruit and introduces a necessary bitterness to counteract the sugar. Once cooled to 50°C, blend the steeped dates with the suet, sugar, and eggs. This creates a smooth, latte-like emulsion that ensures a fine crumb. Folding and Heat Management Fold the flour and remaining dates into the wet mixture by hand. Avoid a whisk; you want to minimize gluten development to keep the sponge light. Bake at 170°C for approximately 55 minutes. While it bakes, simmer your cream, butter, and sugar until thickened, then stir in the soy sauce. This addition provides an umami backbone that defines the Tom Kerridge style. Saturation and Troubleshooting The most critical moment occurs the second the pudding leaves the oven. Prick the surface immediately and pour over a layer of warm caramel. The heat allows the sponge to pull the sauce into its core. If your sponge feels too dense, you likely over-mixed the flour or used an espresso that was too acidic. Serve with clotted cream to provide a cold, fatty contrast to the salt-flecked caramel.