I am hoping y’all can please help me recreate this mouth watering cake I used to obsessively eat for years in Dallas, TX.
In the year 2026 (13 years later) I am now living in another part of the country and expecting a baby. And the one thing that keeps me awake at night is a
the warm sticky toffee cake with mascarpone I ate a place called Victor Tangos. It closed a long time ago.
I have tried restaurants in the south and of those who have it – none are good. I have tried making recipes online and they’re not it. Nothing compares to the life changing cake from Victor Tangos. Back in my day – I’d walk there and order it once a week…it was divine. I didn’t drink or eat there, I only went there for this cake. ADHD here and I definitely hyperfixate on food.
Long shot – has anyone ever made a cake like this? Can anyone help me track down how to make this heavenly creation? If so, I may just have to name my child after you. Please and thank you!
by AllTheEggsIVF
20 Comments
Looks yummy. I’ve never had a sticky toffee cake, but I found this recipe that is highly rated… https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/sticky-toffee-pudding
Try the one from food and wine. It reminds me of Gordon Ramsay’s and it’s amazing!
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/sticky-toffee-pudding
I just saw a creator on IG post about his favorite dessert being the sticky toffee pudding from Hell’s Kitchen in Vegas. I found this recipe today, but I haven’t tried it yet
https://deliciouslyrushed.com/sticky-toffee-pudding/
The milk street sticky toffee pudding is pretty great: https://www.confettitravelcafe.com/rye-sticky-toffee-pudding-recipe/
Crossposted this to r/dallas as I’m also a pregnant lady who has been dreaming of VT’s sticky toffee cake for years!!
I found this article from Dallas News that mentions Victor Tango’s specifically:
“Victor Tango’s Sticky Toffee Cake With Mascarpone Cream follows the traditional British model, with one American twist: Caramelized maple syrup is added to the toffee sauce.”
And then for the mascarpone cream:
“With a dollop of mascarpone cream. Victor Tango’s executive chef Kirstyn Brewer says hers is made by whipping equal parts mascarpone and whipping cream, with a little vanilla and powdered sugar to taste.”
And here’s the recipe section, since it’s behind a paywall (I used the reader view on safari for iOS to bypass that, fwiw). You’d probably want to replace some of the brown sugar in the caramel sauce with that boiled down maple syrup mentioned above? I also couldn’t find *where* it lists the ingredients or quantities, which maybe was because I was using the reader view, or maybe because it was more article than food post? I’m leaving it for reference, but I would use the one from Gordon Ramsay, Martha Stewart, or Recipe Tin Eats and then just tweak the sauce to use the caramelized/concentrated maple syrup they mention in the article. I bet that’s the piece that’s been missing.
Good luck with the sticky toffee adventures and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! I hope you have a smooth delivery and a newborn that sleeps like a dream and whose farts smell like cookies!
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STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
Place chopped dates in small bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over dates and let cool, about 1 hour.
Heat oven to 350 F. Butter a 9-inch-diameter springform pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper, then butter the parchment; or for individual cakes, spray extra-large muffin tins (two trays, each with six 8-ounce capacity muffin cups) with baking spray.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl to blend. Add the vanilla and 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add half of the self-rising flour and beat to blend. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Add remaining flour and beat until blended. Combine instant coffee and baking soda in small bowl. Pour into date mixture, stirring to dissolve coffee granules. Add date mixture to batter and beat to blend.
Pour batter into prepared pan (or divide among muffin tin cups). Place springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, or with a few crumbs clinging to it, about 50 to 55 minutes. (For muffin tins, bake for 20 to 25 minutes.)
Place cake on a wire rack. While it is hot, use a bamboo skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake, about a half-inch apart; pour 1/2 to 2/3 cup of warm Caramel Sauce over the top of the cake and allow the sauce to be absorbed before unmolding (if making individual cakes, distribute the sauce evenly among the cakes).
When the cake cools slightly (it should still be warm) unmold the sides of the springform pan and cut cake into wedges (or gently remove minicakes from muffin tins) and place each serving on dessert plates. Serve each warm wedge (or individual cake) covered with additional warm Caramel Sauce and with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side. Pour any remaining sauce in a pitcher for guests to add, as needed. Garnish each serving with chopped pecans, if using. Makes 12 servings.
To make ahead: You can reheat two slices at a time in the microwave. Place the servings on a plate, tent the plate with wax paper, and reheat for about 20 seconds on High.
Caramel Sauce: Combine 2 cups whipping cream, 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar and 4 tablespoons butter in a heavy saucepan. Stirring frequently, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce heat to medium-low or low to maintain a simmer. Simmer sauce, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until mixture is a caramel-brown color and slightly reduced; it should coat the back of a spoon and have a deep, butter-caramel taste. You will have a little more than 2 cups of sauce. Serve warm. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead and refrigerated, covered; before using, warm it over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, or reheat in the microwave, stirring after 30 seconds).
I can’t help you with a recipe but, if you live in Chicago, you 1000% need to try the sticky toffee cake at Armitage Alehouse or Trivoli Tavern. It’s hands down one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
Sincerely, another ADHD pregnant lady with food hyperfixations
God I miss that place
RIP victor tangos. The best ever.
David Lebovitz’s sticky toffee pudding is insanely good. Make extra toffee sauce and just eat it with a spoon… https://www.davidlebovitz.com/warm-sticky-toffee-pudding/
This is my go to recipe for sticky toffee pudding. Its divine! I became obsessed with this desert after having it at an Irish pub.
https://www.recipetineats.com/sticky-toffee-pudding/
My twist is adding 2 tbs of miso (preferably dark miso) to the butterscotch sauce and it give the sauce an umami flavor. Its sounds weird but it tastes so good. OP is pregnant otherwise I’d recommend pairing this with whiskey or a Guinness.
I saw the name of the cake and it immediately made me hungry. I’m gonna try making it one day! Thanks for the recipe.
Shame on Victor Tangos. Its government name is Sticky Toffee Pudding.
You’ve gotten some amazing leads here but just wanted to add:
1) In my experience the quality of the dates makes a HUGE difference, I’d definitely spring for some really good medjool dates.
2) Someone found the chef’s name, you can maybe try to email her and explain the situation? Since the restaurant has closed down there’s a chance she may give you the exact recipe and some tips?
Good luck! I hope you get the perfect recipe and can have it every day!
Hey OP, the Chef who created this recipe relocated to NYC and cooks/bakes there now. You might want to swing by her restaurant and check out the menu!!
It appears Chef Kirstyn Brewer is still active in the country’s restaurant scene. She also appears to be reachable through social media. Have you considered reaching out to her and discussing your plight? You never know, she may be willing to share the formula.
I would recommend the recipe on Jane’s Patisserie, don’t make anything that doesn’t involve soaking dates, it’s just not the same.
English people used to be raised on this stuff!
Looks like south african malva pudding!
Nice looking STP
Coming from a brit, try nigella Lawson’s sticky toffee pudding! You’ll get more recipes searching for a pudding anyway 🙌