How to Cook Costco Sticky Toffee Pudding

Costco’s sticky toffee pudding from The Sticky Toffee Pudding Co. is a moist date sponge cake covered in buttery toffee sauce. You’ll find it in the refrigerated deli section near fresh pasta and other chilled desserts.

This British dessert comes ready to heat. No prep work needed.

Most people grab it during the holidays. It shows up seasonally and sells out fast. The rich, dense texture and sweet-salty flavor profile make it a crowd favorite for dinner parties and family gatherings.

This guide covers three heating methods: oven, microwave, and air fryer. Total cooking time ranges from 40 seconds to 20 minutes depending on your approach.

Product Details

Product: The Sticky Toffee Pudding Co. British Sticky Toffee Pudding

Type: Pre-made, refrigerated (freezer-safe)

Package Size: 2 trays x 18 oz each (36 oz total)

Price: $13.99-$14.59 at Costco (Updated January 2025)

Storage: Refrigerate or freeze up to 9 months

Calories per Serving: 190 calories (1/6 tray)

Main Ingredients: Fresh dates, unbleached flour, sugar, butter, eggs, espresso, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cream

Item Number: 626193

Cooking Methods Comparison

Recommended Method: Oven for the entire tray when serving guests. Microwave for single portions when you just want a quick warm dessert.

Method 1: Oven (Recommended for Full Tray)

The oven method heats the entire tray evenly and lets the toffee sauce bubble into the date cake. Takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. The edges get a slight caramelized texture while the center stays moist.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Pudding?

Remove the pudding tray from its box. Peel off the plastic film covering the top.

Instructions:

1. Take tray out of packaging
2. Remove and discard the plastic film completely
3. Leave pudding in the aluminum tray

Equipment: Baking sheet, oven mitts

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Place the uncovered tray on a baking sheet for easy handling.

Instructions:

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F
2. Position rack in middle of oven
3. Place aluminum tray on a baking sheet

Temperature: 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C

Time: 15-20 minutes

Step 3: When Do You Check the Pudding?

Check at the 15-minute mark. The toffee sauce should be bubbling around the edges.

Instructions:

1. Open oven door at 15 minutes
2. Look for bubbling sauce around edges
3. Continue cooking if sauce isn’t bubbling yet

Checkpoint: At 15-minute mark

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

The pudding is ready when steam rises from the surface and the toffee sauce bubbles actively. The date cake should feel warm when you touch the center gently.

Instructions:

1. Check for steam rising from surface
2. Confirm toffee sauce is bubbling
3. Remove from oven using mitts
4. Let rest 2-3 minutes before cutting

Visual Indicator: Bubbling toffee sauce, steam rising from center

Method 2: Microwave (Fastest Option)

Microwave works great for individual portions. You’ll have warm pudding in under a minute. The texture stays soft and steamy throughout.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare Individual Portions?

Cut a portion from the tray and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Add a spoonful of extra toffee sauce from the tray on top.

Instructions:

1. Cut desired portion (about 1/6 of tray for standard serving)
2. Transfer to microwave-safe plate
3. Spoon extra toffee sauce over top

Equipment: Microwave-safe plate, knife, spoon

Step 2: What Power Level and Time Do You Use?

Heat on high power. Time varies based on starting temperature.

Instructions:

1. From refrigerated: 40 seconds at full power (850W)
2. From frozen: 1 minute at full power
3. Room temperature: 20-30 seconds

Power Level: HIGH (100% power)

Time: 40 seconds from fridge, 1 minute from frozen

Step 3: How Do You Avoid Overheating?

Microwave in short bursts. Overheating makes the sponge rubbery and dry.

Instructions:

1. Start with recommended time
2. If not hot enough, add 10-second bursts
3. Stop when pudding steams

Checkpoint: Check after initial heating time

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

The pudding should steam when you cut into it. The toffee sauce will be liquid and flowing.

Instructions:

1. Touch center gently to confirm warmth
2. Look for melted, liquid toffee sauce
3. Let stand 30 seconds before eating

Visual Indicator: Steam rising, sauce is liquid and drizzling

Method 3: Air Fryer

Air fryer gives you a slight crust on the edges while keeping the center moist. Good middle ground between oven and microwave.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare for Air Frying?

Cut portions and place in an oven-safe dish that fits your air fryer basket. The original aluminum tray might not fit depending on your model.

Instructions:

1. Cut pudding into individual portions
2. Place in small oven-safe dish or ramekin
3. Spoon toffee sauce over each portion

Equipment: Oven-safe dish or ramekins, air fryer

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Lower temperature prevents the sauce from burning while heating the dense date cake through.

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C)
2. Place dish in basket
3. Set timer for 8-10 minutes

Temperature: 300 degrees F / 150 degrees C

Time: 8-10 minutes

Step 3: When Do You Check the Pudding?

Check at 8 minutes. If not steaming, continue for another 2 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Open air fryer at 8 minutes
2. Check if sauce is bubbling
3. Add time if needed

Checkpoint: At 8-minute mark

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

Look for bubbling sauce and a slightly firmer top surface. The edges may have a light golden color.

Instructions:

1. Confirm sauce is bubbling
2. Check edges for slight browning
3. Remove carefully (dish will be hot)
4. Rest 1-2 minutes before serving

Visual Indicator: Bubbling sauce, light golden edges

Safety and Quality Indicators

Food Safety:

• Steam Check: Pudding should steam when cut open
• Temperature: Center should be hot to touch
• Thawing: Not required. Cook from frozen or refrigerated.

Quality Indicators (Done Properly):

• Color: Deep brown date cake with glossy toffee sauce
• Texture: Moist, dense sponge that holds together when sliced
• Sauce: Liquid and flowing, not stiff or crystallized
• Appearance: Steaming with glossy sauce coating

Signs of Overcooking:

• Dry, crumbly cake texture
• Burnt or caramelized hard spots on sauce
• Rubbery texture (microwave)
• Sauce has separated or turned grainy

Serving Suggestions

Portion Size: 1/6 of tray per serving (approximately 3 oz). Each package contains 12 servings total.

Serving Ideas:

• Scoop of vanilla ice cream on top (classic pairing)
• Dollop of unsweetened whipped cream to cut the sweetness
• Drizzle of additional warm toffee sauce from the tray
• Fresh berries on the side for contrast

Pairing Recommendations:

• Hot coffee or espresso
• Dessert wine
• Hot chocolate for family gatherings
• Custard (traditional British style)

The pudding is quite sweet and salty on its own. Unsweetened accompaniments balance the flavor better than adding more sugar. I’ve found that plain whipped cream works better than sweetened versions.

Storage and Reheating

Before Opening:

• Refrigerate: Up to 3 months (check best-by date)
• Freeze: Up to 9 months

Leftover Storage:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of heating
• Store in airtight container or cover tray with foil
• Consume within 3-5 days

Reheating Instructions:

• Microwave: 20-30 seconds per portion at full power
• Oven: 10 minutes at 325 degrees F, covered with foil

The date cake actually reheats well. It’s dense enough to hold moisture through multiple heating cycles. Just don’t overheat or it gets rubbery.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: Pudding is dry and crumbly

Cause: Overcooked or heated too long

Solution: Reduce cooking time by 3-5 minutes. Add extra toffee sauce from tray before serving. For microwave, use shorter bursts.

Issue: Center is cold while edges are hot

Cause: Oven temperature too high or cooking from frozen without adjusting time

Solution: Lower temperature to 325 degrees F and increase time. Let pudding come closer to room temp before heating, or add 5 minutes to oven time for frozen.

Issue: Toffee sauce is grainy or separated

Cause: Overheated sauce or temperature fluctuations during storage

Solution: Heat sauce separately in small pan with splash of cream, whisking until smooth. Pour over pudding.

Issue: Too sweet to finish

Cause: That’s just how it is. This British dessert is rich.

Solution: Serve smaller portions. Pair with unsweetened whipped cream or plain vanilla ice cream. The cold cuts through the sweetness. Skip adding extra sauce.

Product Variations and Related Items

Similar Costco Products:

• Cartmel Sticky Figgy Pudding: Similar texture, adds figs and holiday spices. Available around Christmas.
• Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Cakes: UK import version, 2 x 1-lb cakes (Item #1742746)

Different Brands at Costco:

Costco carries multiple brands depending on season and region. The Sticky Toffee Pudding Co. version is most common in US stores. Cartmel brand appears in UK Costco locations and occasionally in US stores during holidays.

Cooking Time Adjustments:

The Cartmel version uses similar cooking times. Check package directions as formulas vary slightly between brands.

Looking for other Costco dessert options? Check out our guide on how to cook Costco creme brulee for another easy make-at-home treat. Or if you want something to serve before dessert, try cooking up Costco garlic bread as a starter.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Choose Oven when:

• Serving the whole tray to guests
• You want slightly crispy edges
• You have 20 minutes
• Hosting a dinner party or holiday gathering

Choose Microwave when:

• You want one portion fast
• Time is limited (under 2 minutes total)
• Texture preference is soft throughout
• Late night dessert craving hits

Choose Air Fryer when:

• Heating 2-4 portions
• You want some edge texture without full oven heat
• Oven is occupied with other dishes

Time Comparison:

Microwave (40 sec – 1 min) < Air Fryer (8-10 min) < Oven (15-20 min)

Texture Comparison:

Oven (slight crust) > Air Fryer (light crust) > Microwave (soft throughout)

For holiday meals where you’re juggling multiple dishes, microwave individual portions as people finish their mains. That way everyone gets a warm serving without timing everything perfectly.

FAQ on How To Cook Costco Sticky Toffee Pudding

How Long Do You Cook Costco Sticky Toffee Pudding in the Oven?

Heat the date cake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Remove the plastic film first and place the aluminum tray on a baking sheet.

The toffee sauce should bubble around the edges when done.

Can You Microwave Costco Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Yes. Cut a portion and microwave on high for 40 seconds from refrigerated or 1 minute from frozen.

This British dessert heats quickly. Watch it closely to avoid rubbery texture from overheating.

Do You Need to Thaw Sticky Toffee Pudding Before Cooking?

No thawing required. Cook directly from frozen or refrigerated.

Frozen pudding needs slightly longer heating time. Add 5 minutes for oven method or use the 1-minute microwave setting.

What Temperature Do You Cook Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Oven: 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Air fryer: 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Lower temperatures prevent the buttery toffee sauce from burning while the dense sponge pudding heats through evenly.

How Do You Know When Sticky Toffee Pudding Is Done?

Look for steam rising from the surface. The caramel sauce should be bubbling and liquid.

Touch the center gently. It should feel hot throughout, not just warm on the edges.

Can You Freeze Costco Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Yes. The package states it freezes for up to 9 months. Many shoppers stock up during the holiday season.

The moist cake texture holds up well after freezing. No quality loss when properly stored.

What Do You Serve with Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing. Unsweetened whipped cream cuts through the rich sweetness.

The warm dessert also pairs well with custard, fresh berries, or a simple drizzle of heavy cream.

How Many Servings Are in Costco Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Each tray serves 6 people according to the package. You get 2 trays per box, totaling 12 servings.

Realistically, 4 servings per tray if your guests have bigger appetites.

Can You Cook Sticky Toffee Pudding in an Air Fryer?

Yes. Set your air fryer to 300 degrees F and heat for 8-10 minutes.

Place portions in an oven-safe dish that fits the basket. The edges get a light crust while keeping the center moist.

How Do You Reheat Leftover Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds. For oven reheating, cover with foil and warm at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days. The date sponge cake reheats well.

Conclusion

Now you know how to cook Costco sticky toffee pudding using three different methods. Pick the one that fits your schedule and serving size.

The oven method works best for dinner parties. Microwave handles quick individual portions. Air fryer splits the difference.

This traditional English pudding stores well in the freezer for up to nine months. Stock up during the holiday season when it hits Costco shelves.

Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The moist sponge texture and sweet caramel drizzle make it a crowd favorite every time.