My mum often made those steamed puddings in an odd little steamer, using the bain marie oven method. If opened and left in the oven longer, it would get "sticky". I wonder if you just left the dates out.........?
It's the addition of dates that give this recipe it's name, but as JanetX has said you could make a basic sponge pudding - then a separate toffee sauce to pour over the pud at the table.
if you go into www.deliaonline.com and just search toffee pudding you will find a delicious recipe. My mum made it and left the dates out, you could also leave off the pecan nuts if you wanted! - yum