Everything You Need to Know About Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is a traditional Christmas dessert made with a combination of dried fruits, nuts, eggs or molasses, spices, flour and butter. Steaming is generally the cooking method used to prepare Christmas pudding. From there, it's sliced and served with a sweet topping like a decadent hard sauce. The dessert goes by many names: depending on who you ask and where you are in the world, it's also referred to as plum pudding or figgy pudding. Call it what you want, but this steaming pudding is an beloved old-fashioned dessert worth making for your holiday dinner spread.
Related: 20 Best Christmas Pudding Recipes
Origins of Christmas Pudding
Originally, people started to enjoy this dessert in the United Kingdom. Recipes for Christmas Pudding were made from ingredients that were more affordable, accessible, and easy to store in the pantry to be used for special occasions. Root vegetables were also a popular ingredient, as were flour and spices, which may have been used sparingly. Lard and suet were frequently used in this dessert but these days, modern bakers incorporate butter as the primary fat in the dessert.
That it ties us to true, everlasting Christmas traditions is what has made Christmas Pudding stand the test of time and why it is still enjoyed deliciously in so many homes today.
What Kind of Pudding was Served in A Christmas Carol?
Christmas pudding has always been a big deal in the UK. You may remember A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, showing a flaming pudding being carried proudly to the table. It’s the flaming center that is the climax of the entire Christmas supper. As they gather around the pudding, ""Oh, bring us some figgy pudding, and bring it right here", is sung with glee.
31 Daily
How To Make Christmas Pudding
When cooking a Christmas pudding, bake it in a pan in a water bath. The pan needs to be covered with parchment, then foil, then sealed very tight with string.
Fold the edges inward so that the parchment doesn’t get wet from the water bath.
The Christmas pudding actually cooks by the steam method. It takes around 90 minutes or possibly longer, depending on the container size. A bowl can be used as well as semi-spherical cake pans if you have these.
Be careful to really seal the cake well so that water doesn’t seep in while cooking.
To make a traditional Christmas Pudding, make sure to drench the cake in a boozy sauce such as rum or brandy for full flavor.
Make the puddings a day in advance, wrap with saran wrap and store them at room temperature. For a dramatic presentation, make sure to flame the cake at the table. It will make for a memorable dessert for all!
Related: 25 Best Vegan Christmas Dinner Recipes
Can You Freeze Christmas Pudding?
Yes, Christmas pudding freezes wonderfully, so it’s the perfect make-ahead holiday dessert. Once your Christmas pudding has fully cooled after baking, cover it with foil, then in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer.When you're ready to eat, thaw the frozen Christmas pudding completely, and give it a re-steam. Another thawing method is to leave the aluminum foil on and reheat it in a low-heat oven just until warm. If using the Instant Pot or a pressure cooker, reheat the Christmas pudding simply using the warm function.
Related: Best Christmas Crack Recipe
What To Serve With Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is delicious on its own, but it can be made even more indulgent with a caramel sauce or bourbon sauce. Ice cream or freshly made whipped cream are delicious toppings as well. Coconut and chopped nuts give the pudding extra flair.
Ellas Better Bakes
Up next: 15 Beautiful Trifle Recipes to Serve at Your Christmas Party
