What Is Figgy Pudding? (and Why Do We Sing About It at Christmas?) (2024)

Updated: Sep. 14, 2023

It's mentioned in A Christmas Carol and in actual carols. Why do we sing about this Dickens of a dessert?

People sing about it in “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Charles Dickens wrote about it in A Christmas Carol. But whatisfiggy pudding? And why do we sing about this Dickens of a dessert every holiday season?

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What Is Figgy Pudding?

In its most basic form, figgy pudding is a steamed, domed-shaped cake baked in a water bath in the oven. 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.”

What Is Figgy Pudding Made Of?

The flavors can include figs, plums, raisins, currants, oranges, cherries, cranberries, citrus zest and juice, along with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and allspice. The result is a dessert similar to what we know as a holiday fruitcake.

Why Is It Called Figgy Pudding?

The ‘pudding’ part of the name makes it a dessert in Britain, but not the custardy type of dish most Americans would associate with the word. At some point the dish included figs, lending itself to the term of ‘figgy’ as part of a Christmas pudding recipe.

Why Do People Sing About Figgy Pudding?

For starters, it is a symbolic Christmas dessert. It was originally made with 13 ingredients which represented Christ and the 12 apostles. It was finished with a sprig of holly on top as a symbol of the crown of thorns.

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, requesting a helping of this rich Christmas dessert.

How to Make Figgy Pudding

In years past, preparations for the perfect pudding began around five weeks before Christmas. Twice-boiled in a pudding cloth, it was then aged—time-consuming and labor-intensive, but worth the effort.

Now, the dessert is steamed for a few hours as it bakes in the oven in a water bath. Christmas puddings are loaded with alcohol to draw out and intensify the flavor, most often rum or brandy. The kitchen will be filled with a mix of fragrant spices and spirits as it bakes!

If you’re looking for a store-bought figgy pudding, this Spam figgy pudding option might be your next favorite product.

What Is Figgy Pudding? (and Why Do We Sing About It at Christmas?) (2024)

FAQs

What Is Figgy Pudding? (and Why Do We Sing About It at Christmas?)? ›

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

Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding is sweet, dried-fruit pudding traditionally served as part of Christmas dinner in Britain and other countries to which the tradition has been exported.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Christmas_pudding
or plum pudding. It can also be affectionately called “pud.”

Why is figgy pudding a Christmas tradition? ›

Now a popular Christmas tradition, the dish is steeped in religious symbolism. It was historically made with 13 ingredients (said to represent Christ and the 12 apostles), garnished with holly (to represent the crown of thorns), and ceremoniously lit on fire (to represent the passion of Christ).

What is the story behind Christmas pudding? ›

It has its origins in medieval England, with early recipes making use of dried fruit, suet, breadcrumbs, flour, eggs and spice, along with liquid such as milk or fortified wine. Later, recipes became more elaborate. In 1845, cookery writer Eliza Acton wrote the first recipe for a dish called "Christmas pudding".

What is a 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.

What Christmas song demands figgy pudding? ›

We reveal the lyrics and history behind the carol that demands – and makes you feel rather hungry for – figgy pudding. A joyous encore at Christmas choral concerts around the country, 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' is also heard on doorsteps, in pub corners and outside supermarkets throughout the month of December.

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, ...

Why do people eat pudding on Christmas? ›

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.

What's the difference between Christmas pudding and figgy pudding? ›

Figgy Pudding

This seasonal favorite is essentially the same as a Christmas pudding but with the sweet addition of – wait for it – figs. It's a perfect twist on the classic flavor and allows you to maintain the flaming pizzazz of the original.

What is Christmas pudding called in the USA? ›

Christmas Pudding (also known as plum pudding or figgy pudding) is a dish as famous as it is misunderstood.

Why is Christmas pudding important to Christians? ›

"The plum pudding's association with Christmas takes us back to medieval England and the Roman Catholic Church's decree that the 'pudding should be made on the twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity, that it be prepared with thirteen ingredients to represent Christ and the twelve apostles, and that that every family member ...

In which country do they eat figgy pudding during Christmas? ›

But as a historian of Great Britain and its empire, I can appreciate the Christmas pudding for its rich global history. After all, it is a legacy of the British Empire with ingredients from around the globe it once dominated and continues to be enjoyed in places it once ruled.

When would you eat figgy pudding? ›

There are few foods as synonymous with the festive season as the humble Christmas pudding. Carolers demand it in We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Charles Dickens made it a centrepiece of the Cratchits' feast in A Christmas Carol and every year in the UK we eat a massive 25 million of the sweet treats.

Why are there no figs in figgy pudding? ›

Christmas figgy pudding typically includes breadcrumbs, eggs, brown sugar, suet, raisins, currants, candied orange peel, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and alcohol. Figs have never actually been an official ingredient, but they are included from time to time, inspiring the well-known name along the way.

What is the most money Christmas song? ›

Best-selling Christmas singles
RankTitleReleased
1"All I Want for Christmas Is You"1994
2"Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"2013
3"Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24"1996
4"Mistletoe"2011
6 more rows

Does spam have figgy pudding? ›

SPAM® Figgy Pudding brings a blend of warm spices and seasonal ingredients that will be the star in many wintertime recipe favorites.

What is the Christmas song that goes all I want for Christmas is you? ›

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song by American singer Mariah Carey from her fourth studio album and first holiday album, Merry Christmas (1994). Written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, the song was released as the lead single from the album on October 29, 1994, by Columbia Records.

What is the superstition about Christmas pudding? ›

Superstitions say that Christmas pudding must be prepared with 13 ingredients, which are said to represent Jesus and his twelve disciples. It is also said that the mixture should be stirred in turn from east to west, by each family member, to honour the disciples' journey.

What does Christmas pudding mean to Christians? ›

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.

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