Figgy Pudding (2024)

Never had figgy pudding? This is your year. The sweet treat is a deliciously traditional way to make the most of the holiday season. This festive recipe will have everyone demanding "now bring us some figgy pudding!"

What Is Figgy Pudding?

The British and American definitions of "pudding" are quite different. If you're from the U.S., you probably associate the word with a sweet, creamy, unformed dessert. People from the U.K, however, will likely think of a sweet or savory dish that may contain meat or animal fat.

There are plenty of variations of figgy pudding out there and they all involve fresh or dried figs.

Traditional versions of figgy pudding are steamed or boiled, but many modern recipes (including this one) are baked.

What Is Figgy Pudding Made Of?

Traditional figgy pudding is a holiday dish made with flour, suet (a type of hard animal fat), figs, and other dried fruits. Some more modern versions, like this one, are made without suet. Here's what you'll need for this top-rated figgy pudding recipe:

  • Buttermilk
  • Dried figs
  • Whole-wheat flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Spices and seasonings (cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt)
  • Eggs
  • Bread crumbs
  • Butter
  • Almonds
  • Orange marmalade
  • Orange zest
  • Orange-vanilla flavoring

Cook’s Note

Fiori di Sicilia is a floral orange flavoring used in Italian pandoro. Although not absolutely necessary for this recipe, I thought it added an exotic flavor to the dessert.

How to Make Figgy Pudding

Figgy pudding might sound fancy, but it's actually quite easy to make. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this figgy pudding recipe:

  1. Heat the figs and buttermilk on the stove until the figs are soft.
  2. Sift the dry ingredients together.
  3. Beat the eggs, then stir in the cooled buttermilk mixture and the remaining ingredients.
  4. Gradually mix the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Stir until incorporated.
  5. Spoon the batter into a prepared tube pan.
  6. Bake until firm.
  7. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then finish cooling on a wire rack.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I followed the recipe exactly," says Karen Norris. "My family loved it. I flavored the heavy whipped cream with amaretto. This will definitely be a Christmas tradition from now on!"

"I will make it again at Christmas time," according to Wagner Teresa. "We did a test run yesterday and it was lovely. I made a brown sugar/butter/cream sauce to pour over a slice and it was a perfect match. A big glass of cold milk and you can not go wrong."

"So good," raves Catb. "Couldn't find orange oil so I just added more marmalade. Was devoured on Christmas Day, will definitely make it again and likely before Christmas!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Figgy Pudding (2024)

FAQs

What is a figgy pudding made of? ›

Much like a “full breakfast,” Mervis says the ingredients used in figgy pudding can often be a source of contention, but the dish is typically made with dried fruit (traditionally raisins, sultanas, currants and figs), brown sugar or treacle, mixed spices, breadcrumbs, suet, eggs, and alcohol (often brandy, sherry or ...

Why do they call it figgy pudding? ›

History of Figgy Pudding

Rather than creamy puddings and custards, which Southern cooks are familiar with, this Christmas pudding dates back to medieval England and is a steamed cake full of spices, raisins, and currants soaked in brandy. If it contains figs, it is called a figgy pudding.

Is figgy pudding the same as fruit cake? ›

Is figgy pudding the same as fruit cake? No. Traditional figgy pudding is a British dish that is more like a bread pudding that may or may not include dried fruit like raisins. So although there are similarities for sure, they are not the same thing.

Why are there no figs in figgy pudding? ›

Figgy pudding is a cake that is either baked or steamed. It is actually a form of a plum pudding, neither of which has figs nor plums but is primarily made from raisins.

Is figgy pudding spam real? ›

Spam Figgy Pudding is a thing that exists now. Reviews have been mixed. As the Thanksgiving and Christmas season returns to something like normalcy, perhaps it's time for new traditions. The mad scientists at luncheon meat packager Hormel have one idea: Spam Figgy Pudding.

Why do we sing about figgy pudding? ›

As for the figgy pudding song, near the end of the 16th century, carolers began to sing the English folk song, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” When poor folks stood on the doorsteps of the wealthy and sang, “Oh bring us some figgy pudding,” and “we won't go until we get some,” they probably were having a bit of fun, ...

Is spam figgy pudding meat? ›

It retails two 12-ounce tins for about $10. It is not Spammy figgy pudding; I checked. The first ingredient is still allegedly pork. The second, though, is sugar, followed closely by flavorings of ...

Is it figgy pudding or piggy pudding? ›

Figgy pudding or fig pudding is any of many medieval Christmas dishes, usually sweet or savory cakes containing honey, fruits and nuts.

Do Americans eat Christmas puddings? ›

Americans have turkey at Thanksgiving, perhaps beef or ham for Christmas. Christmas pudding – a mix of fruit, suet, and other ingredients is almost unknown in the US.

What country eats figgy pudding? ›

As Maggie Black writes in History Today, the dish that eventually evolved into plum pudding originally contained preserved, sweetened meat “pyes” and boiled “pottage” (that is, vegetables) and was enjoyed in Britain as early as Roman times.

Why are figs not vegan? ›

Why can't vegans eat figs? Some vegans see the mutual relationship between wasps and figs as animal exploitation and ultimately animal consumption. They, therefore, avoid figs entirely. Most vegans, however, consider figs to be vegan and consume them.

What fruit is inedible fig? ›

Mistletoe fig is a small, bushy plant that has rounded leaves and readily bears small fruits, unfortunately inedible. Creeping fig is a charmer, a tropical vine with tiny, heart-shaped leaves.

What is the sticky stuff in figs? ›

The sticky stuff is the waste that these insects excrete -- euphemistically called “honeydew.” (That sounds nicer than “scale poop.”) Anyway, it's tough to eliminate all scale once and for all with just one treatment. So you may need to keep an eye out for this and treat regularly when the stickiness appears.

What is the difference between figgy pudding and Christmas pudding? ›

Figgy Pudding

“Now bring us some figgy pudding” is the well-known refrain of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas." So, here it is. This seasonal favorite is essentially the same as a Christmas pudding but with the sweet addition of – wait for it – figs.

Is Christmas pudding like fruitcake? ›

You're forgiven if you think Christmas Pudding is the round English version of an American fruitcake. While it has similarities, they are altogether different. Both improve with age and include dried fruits, chopped nuts, hearty spices, and steep in a cold dark spot for weeks, but that is where the similarities end.

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