These golden syrup dumplings are a family favourite classic Australian dessert, with soft and tender dumplings served in a sweet, sticky golden syrup sauce. They are best enjoyed warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. This budget-friendly dessert is perfect for cosy winter nights, plus this recipe is both dairy free and vegan friendly!
Retro recipes like apricot chicken and curried sausages are having a comeback in Aussie kitchens lately. As the cost of living increases, we look to our past and the recipes our parents and grandparents used to make when needing budget-friendly options to feed their families.
Today we’re extending our exploration of these classic recipes with these golden syrup dumplings. They are a favourite dessert in Australian homes and for very good reason! They are so simple and easy to make and use just a handful of basic ingredients you probably have in the pantry.
My version is of course made dairy free using a few simple ingredient swaps, which also makes them vegan. A lot of old fashioned recipes don’t use eggs due to the cost, which is still relatable in 2025!
Full disclaimer, if you didn’t get it from the title of this recipe, this is a sweet dessert. The soft and pillowy dumplings are swimming in a thick and sticky butterscotchy, golden syrup sauce. You really need to be serving these with a scoop of dairy free vanilla ice cream which will really cut through that sweetness and balance it out.
This is a decadent and yummy dessert that is perfect for winter! I hope this recipe brings a little nostalgia into your kitchens.
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Key Ingredients
This golden syrup dumplings recipe only requires 5 ingredients that you probably have on hand already making this a great recipe for those nights when you didn’t plan dessert, but definitely want to make some.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Self-raising flour – a staple in most Australian kitchens, SRF makes this a super easy recipe as it already contains a leavener. If you don’t have any, you can make your own by combining baking powder and plain flour (all purpose flour).
- Dairy free butter – I always use Nuttelex buttery to replace butter in my recipes to keep them dairy free as I find it has the best taste and texture.
- Golden syrup – the key to the flavour of this dessert. This thick and sticky syrup is a common ingredient in Australia and the UK and there really isn’t an alternative that is going to work the same when it comes to flavour.
- Dairy free milk – I like to use oat milk but you can use soy milk, almond milk or any other dairy free milk you prefer.
- Brown sugar – really enhances the butterscotch flavour in these dumplings and helps create the thick, sticky, caramel sauce that the dumplings cook in.
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Step-By-Step Instructions
One of the things I love most about this golden syrup dumplings recipe is the dumplings are steamed, not baked, therefore it’s all cooked on the stove – no turning on the oven required!
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, rub the butter into the self-raising flour using your fingertips. This is the same method as when making scones, and while there are a bunch of baking science reasons why this is important, the main thing is that it will ensure soft and light dumplings.
Step 2: Stir in the golden syrup and the milk and gently mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix. The dough should be really soft and sticky.
Step 3: In a wide saucepan or deep frying pan (with a lid), combine water, brown sugar, golden syrup, and butter. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to simmer.
Step 4: Using a dessert spoon, drop golf-ball sized bits of dough directly into the simmering syrup. I don’t worry about trying to shape them as I think this is best as a rustic dessert. You should get 10 dumplings. Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
Step 5: Let the dumplings simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid during the first 10 minutes. They should puff up and become light and fluffy, and the syrup will thicken and be super glossy.
Step 6: Spoon the dumplings into bowls, drizzling with extra syrup from the pan, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
How to Store and Reheat Golden Syrup Dumplings
While these are best served fresh, they actually do reheat really well. You can store any leftover dumplings and syrup together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat on the stove: Place the dumplings and syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the syrup has thickened too much. Warm gently for 5-7 minutes, spooning syrup over the dumplings occasionally until heated through.
To reheat in the microwave (what I usually do): Transfer dumplings and syrup to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second bursts, spooning syrup over the dumplings, until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
This is usually due to either overmixing the dough or lifting the lid too often while cooking. Make sure to mix until the batter just comes together and let them steam without peeking too soon.
Golden syrup is the traditional flavour for this recipe, and therefore I recommend trying to find it. You can try and swap it for maple syrup or honey but the flavour will be different.
These dumplings are super rich and sweet, so they are best served with vanilla ice cream. You can also serve them with custard or a drizzle of cream.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More cosy winter desserts:
Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding
Strawberry Crumble
Easy Apple Turnovers
Chocolate Lava Cakes
Golden Syrup Dumplings
Ingredients
For the dumplings:
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- 30 grams dairy free butter
- 1 tablespoon golden syrup
- ⅓ cup dairy free milk such as oat milk or almond milk
For the syrup:
- 1½ cups water
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup golden syrup
- 45 grams dairy free butter
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, rub the butter into the self-raising flour using your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the golden syrup. Add the milk and gently mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix.
- In a wide saucepan or deep frying pan (with a lid), combine water, brown sugar, golden syrup, and butter. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to simmer.
- Using a dessert spoon, drop golf-ball sized bits of dough directly into the simmering syrup. You should get 10 dumplings. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
- Let the dumplings simmer, covered, for about 15-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during the first 10 minutes. They should puff up and become light and fluffy, and the syrup will thicken.
- Spoon the dumplings into bowls, drizzle with extra syrup from the pan, and serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
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