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 are the 13 ingredients in Christmas pudding? ›
According to tradition, Christmas Pudding is made from a total of 13 ingredients: raisins, currants, flour, suet, eggs, brown sugar, bread crumbs, citron, lemon peel, orange peel, mixed spices, milk, and brandy.
What alcohol do you pour on Christmas pudding? ›
Douse the pudding
Pour the lit brandy over the top of your Christmas pudding – the flames will transfer and – voilà! – a spectacularly festive flaming pud.
What is the old name for Christmas pudding? ›
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.
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.
Does Christmas pudding need to be refrigerated? ›
Warm environments or steamy kitchens risk the possibility of deterioration or mould growth on the pudding because of the temperature fluctuation. Therefore, after preparing Christmas pudding, it's better to be stored or refrigerated in a cool, dark place after the pudding is cooled down.
Is Figgy Pudding the same as Christmas pudding? ›
It's made with alcohol and dried fruit and is a traditional English dessert. It's more like a cake than what Americans think of as a soft, custard-like pudding. Figgy pudding is also known as Christmas pudding or plum pudding. It can also be affectionately called “pud.”
How long does a homemade Christmas pudding last? ›
Here's a general guideline: 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.
Is Christmas pudding good for you? ›
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.
This tradition came from the notion that whoever finds the coin in their pudding serve can keep the coin, AND has the added bonus of “good luck” for the new year ahead. Over time, what began with a single coin evolved to include several coins to share the luck around.
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.
How healthy is Christmas pudding? ›
The traditional Christmas pudding is therefore by no means a low fat product. Further, the 14% fat from the suet is pure saturated fat, which has been recognized as a contributor to the suffering of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. The traditional recipe provided also contains a high sugar content.
What is normally hidden in a Christmas pudding? ›
For a long time it's been common practice to include silver Christmas pudding coins, charms or tokens into Christmas pudding. Finding a Christmas coin in your slice of pudding is believed to bring good luck and especially wealth in the coming year.
What meat did they use to make Christmas pudding? ›
Christmas (or Plum) Pudding is the traditional end to the British Christmas dinner. But what we think of as Christmas Pudding, is not what it was originally like! Christmas pudding originated as a 14th century porridge called 'frumenty' that was made of beef and mutton with raisins, currants, prunes, wines and spices.
