For many folks here in the states, Christmas pudding is simply a thing of Christmas carols and tales. However this dessert is a staple in households across the UK, and no British Christmas would be complete without it.
Don't get it confused with American pudding, English Christmas pudding is more cake than custard. This traditional dessert has a long history, dating all the way back to medieval times. Keep reading to learn all about this festive dessert, plus learn how to make it yourself — it won't be long until it's your tradition too!
History of English Christmas Pudding
The dessert we've come to know as Christmas pudding (also known as plum pudding and figgy pudding) has roots dating back to English medieval times. It's earliest forms were more savory than sweet, having been made with a mixture of meat and root vegetables. Eventually dried or candied fruits were added, giving it the name plum pudding, since "plum" was used as a generic term for dried fruit.
Around the mid-1600s the dish became a customary Christmas dessert, but was later banned when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came to power. They considered Christmas merriment including Yule logs and caroling, to be idolatry.
Fifty years later, King George I, dubbed the "pudding king," came to power. It was rumored that he requested plum pudding at his first English Christmas banquet.
The tradition was solidified during the Victorian era. It became custom for families to prepare Christmas pudding on the last Sunday before Advent, also known as "Stir-Up Sunday," named after the Book of Common Prayer's liturgy prayer that begins "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord…" On this day family members would take turns stirring up the pudding, before steaming it and setting it aside to mature until Christmas day.
The tradition of serving Christmas pudding on Christmas day continues to this day in much of the UK. Some families even practice the tradition of hiding a coin in the pudding, which is said to bring good luck to the person who finds it.
What Is Christmas Pudding Made From?
Christmas pudding is generally made from a combination of dried fruit, candied fruit peel, and citrus zests in a dense, sticky sponge cake. It can be flavored with cinnamon, brandy, rum, or other spices for moisture and taste.
When Do You Serve Christmas Pudding?
Traditional Christmas pudding is the original make-ahead dessert. It is meant to be made on the last Sunday before Advent, or five weeks before Christmas.
The pudding should be stored in a cool, dry place until Christmas day. All you need to do is reheat it before serving. Not only does this save you time on Christmas day, but it also gives the flavors time to mature.
How to Make Christmas Pudding
Use this Plum Pudding II recipe as a base for your Christmas pudding. Recipe creator Claude suggests serving it with custard, whipped cream, or ice cream.
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 12 dates, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup raisins
- ¼ cup dried currants
- ¼ cup candied mixed fruit peel, chopped
- 1 orange, zested
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
Instructions:
- Liberally grease a pudding mold (like this one from the British-owned brand, Mason Cash).
- Combine sugar, butter, milk, dates, raisins, currants, mixed fruit peel, and orange zest in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda.
- Sift in the flour, cinnamon and salt. Gently mix until blended. Pour the mixture into the prepared pudding mold.
- Cover with two layers of greased wax paper. Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan filled with simmering water. Steam for two hours.
- Remove the pudding from the steamer and allow it to cool completely in the mold. Store in a cool, dry place until Christmas day. Microwave or re-steam to reheat.
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FAQs
Christmas pudding is generally made from a combination of dried fruit, candied fruit peel, and citrus zests in a dense, sticky sponge cake. It can be flavored with cinnamon, brandy, rum, or other spices for moisture and taste.
What is Christmas pudding called in the USA? ›
In America, Christmas Pudding (also known as plum pudding or figgy pudding) is a dish as famous as it is misunderstood.
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.
Is Christmas pudding warm or cold? ›
Ideally we would suggest that when the pudding is made it is steamed for 8 hours (the combined time of the first and second steamings) as the steaming is important for the flavour of the pudding. The pudding can then be microwaved to reheat it on Christmas Day.
How healthy is Christmas pudding? ›
The mixed spices, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pimentos (or all spice) in a Christmas pudding are also an incredible source of aromatic antioxidants. Spices aid digestion and have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Why do people eat Christmas pudding? ›
It was believed it would bring good luck. In 1644 the Puritans tried to ban the pudding as they said it was 'sinfully rich' and 'unfit for God-fearing people'! In 1714 King George reestablished the pudding and it was enjoyed as a dessert for Christmas.
Why do Christians eat Christmas pudding? ›
Religious significance
It is believed that a Christmas pudding must contain thirteen ingredients. These ingredients each represent Jesus and each of his twelve disciples. Traditionally, brandy is poured over the Christmas pudding and set aflame before serving. The flames are believed to represent Christ's passion.
What do Americans eat as an alternative to Christmas pudding? ›
Common Christmas dessert in the US are pecan pie, pumpkin pie, mince pie, cake formed in the shape of a Yule Log, and lots of ethnic and regional specialties.
Is there alcohol in Christmas pudding? ›
Conclusion: Christmas puddings contain ethanol that does not all evaporate during the cooking process. However, the rise in BAC after ingestion of a typical slice of Christmas pudding was negligible and unlikely to affect work performance or safety or impair a health care worker's ability to make complex decisions.
Can children eat Christmas pudding? ›
Yes. Many foods have traces of alcohol (Ethanol) and many other alcohols can be present in trace amounts. The volume of alcohol in Christmas pudding is not high, even when flambeed and served with Brandy butter or a whisky sauce.
Although the pud is undoubtedly the star, all that rich, fruity filling needs a dollop of something creamy and cool to serve alongside. Pour over double cream, spoon on thick clotted cream or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a quick win, or whip up your own boozy brandy butter for ultimate indulgence.
Does Christmas pudding taste good? ›
A classic British dessert that you can start one year—or one day—in advance. To an American palate, Christmas pudding may taste like a yummy, gooey, extra-rich fruitcake (in a good way) that's slathered with hard sauce (which ensures that you will like it even if you don't care for fruitcake) and eaten with a spoon.
How to tell if Christmas pudding is done? ›
The pudding is ready when it's slightly puffed and dark brown. Remove the pudding from the steamer by the handle. Set on a rack until completely cool. Remove the paper, and prick the pudding with a skewer or a fork in several places.
Why does Christmas pudding take so long to cook? ›
Long steaming times also seem to help to develop the flavour and colour of the pudding.
Should Christmas pudding be kept in the fridge? ›
Room Temperature: It's safe to store Christmas pudding at room temperature for a few days, but it's not recommended for long-term storage. Refrigerator: In the fridge, Christmas pudding can last for up to a week while maintaining its quality.
What is traditionally in the middle of a Christmas pudding? ›
It was common practice to include small silver coins in the pudding mixture, which could be kept by the person whose serving included them. The usual choice was a silver threepence or a sixpence.
How alcoholic is Christmas pudding? ›
Main outcome measures: Ethanol concentration of each pudding; estimated BAC of health care professionals after ingestion and at the end of a 30-minute lunch break. Results: The concentration of ethanol in common Christmas puddings ranged from 0.260 to 1.685 g per 125 mg slice.
Why are there 13 ingredients in a Christmas pudding? ›
13 ingredient puddings
It's said that Christmas pudding needs to be prepared with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his twelve disciples. Every family member stirs it in turn from east to west to honour their journey. Historically, Christmas pudding wasn't even considered to be a dessert.
