20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

What’s the quintessential Christmas dish? Turkey? Roast beef? Mince pies? While all of these make an appearance on Christmas Day, there’s one dish that’s synonymous with the holiday, and that’s Christmas pudding. This rich, dense cake is a must-have on any self-respecting Christmas table – but where did it come from?

Before we get into that, you should also check ourChristmas coffee recipes and Christmas side dish recipes that can go well with our Christmas pudding recipes.

WHAT IS A CHRISTMAS PUDDING?

Christmas pudding has its origins in medieval England. At the time, puddings were savory dishes made with meat, suet, breadcrumbs, and spices. These early puddings were cooked in a bag or casing and often served as the main course at holiday meals. Over time, the ingredients changed to include dried fruits and nuts, and the pudding became sweeter. By the 16th century, plum pudding was a well-established part of English cuisine.

Today, many families have their own Christmas pudding recipes that have been passed down through the generations. If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas pudding recipe to try this year, why not give this one a go?

Here are the best Christmas pudding recipes I’ve found:

TRADITIONAL BRITISH CHRISTMAS PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (1)

Source: Christina Cucina

Traditional British Christmas pudding is a make-ahead dessert, steamed and filled with fruit, also known as plum pudding. It is set ablaze when served and is commonly the show-stopper of many British Christmas dinners.

PUDDING COOKIES WITH SPRINKLES

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (2)

Source: Crayons and Cravings

These soft and chewy Christmas sprinkle pudding cookies are quick and easy to make, with no chill time required. They’re perfect for your next holiday party! The cookie dough is made with instant vanilla pudding mix, which gives the cookies a rich vanilla flavor and incredible softness. Your guests will love these delicious cookies!

Related Post: Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (3)

Source: A Couple Cooks

This cranberry pudding is a moist molasses cake covered in a butter sauce. It’s everything a traditional Christmas pudding should be!

SELF-SAUCING GINGERBREAD PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (4)

Source: VJ Cooks

The perfect gingerbread pudding for any occasion, this dish is made even more delightful with a luscious caramel and ginger sauce. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply want to make a cozy weekend treat, this self-saucing pudding will quickly become a family favorite.

EGGNOG PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (5)

Source: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen

This holiday season, enjoy a delicious batch of my Eggnog Pudding! Whether you have it by itself or for dessert, this pudding is creamy and flavorful. We love to have it for breakfast or dessert.

EASY CHRISTMAS FIGGY PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (6)

Source: DebzDelicious

This figgy pudding recipe is easy and traditional, as well as delicious. It’s a very popular Christmas dessert that can be steamed or baked. Check out this figgy pudding recipe to see how you can make it at home!

CHRISTMAS PUDDING WITH BRANDY SAUCE

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (7)

Source: Christina Cucina

What could make our Christmas pudding more delicious than a dollop of brandy sauce? Easy and quick to make, this rich recipe is one you’ll want to use year after year.

ENGLISH CHRISTMAS PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (8)

Source: 31 Daily

A favorite among many English families, this Christmas Pudding is easy to make and sure to be a hit at your holiday dinner table. With roots dating back centuries, this dish is rich in both flavor and history.

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (9)

Source: Belly Full

If you’re looking for a delicious and indulgent dessert, look no further than this Sticky Toffee Pudding. Made with a moist sponge cake coated in rich caramel sauce, it’s guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. This is the perfect dish to serve at holiday gatherings or any time you want to impress your guests!

NO-BAKE ROCKY ROAD CHRISTMAS PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (10)

Source: Jane’s Patisserie

This no-bake chocolate Rocky Road pudding is a festive and delicious alternative for those who want something chocolatey this holiday season!

Related Post: Best Christmas No-Bake Desserts

HOLIDAY EGGNOG RICE PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (11)

Source: Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen

A holiday twist on a classic dish, this Holiday Eggnog Rice Pudding is sure to become a new family favorite. The rich eggnog custard creates an intensely flavorful dessert that can be enjoyed warm or cold. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enjoy all the flavors of the season in one delectable DESSERT!

CRANBERRY BREAD PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (12)

Source: The Shortcut Kitchen

This cranberry bread pudding recipe is the perfect holiday dessert. A classical bread pudding dish made even better with tart cranberries and a rich vanilla sauce.

SLOW COOKER GINGERBREAD PUDDING CAKE

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (13)

Source: The Recipe Rebel

Add this dessert to your holiday menu! This spiced Gingerbread Pudding Cake cooks in the slow cooker, leaving your oven free for other dishes.

Related Post: Best Christmas Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes

CHRISTMAS ICE CREAM PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (14)

Source: Marcellina in Cucina

This quick and easy Christmas Ice Cream Pudding is the perfect solution when you’re short on time! Just use store-bought vanilla and chocolate ice cream, add some delicious flavors, and voila – you have a fantastic Christmas dessert!

APPLE BREAD PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (15)

Source: Carlsbad Cravings

Apple bread pudding is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with apples, walnuts, dried cranberries, and cinnamon-infused custard baked to golden perfection. This dish can be prepared in minutes or prepped ahead of time for an even easier meal.

RICE KRISPIE CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (16)

Source: Crumbs & Corkscrews

Get into the Christmas spirit with these easy and fun Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings. They make great last-minute treats or gifts to share with family and friends, and they’re ready in no time.

OLD-FASHIONED PLUM PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (17)

Source: Our Heritage of Health

Plum pudding is a dessert that will always be associated with Christmas, thanks to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Even though it’s quite popular, there are many of us who have never actually tasted plum pudding ourselves.

VEGAN CHRISTMAS PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (18)

Source: Domestic Gothess

This vegan Christmas pudding features all the classic flavors of the British steamed variety, but without being overly dense or heavy. Easy to make and can be cooked in advance, this pudding is also perfect for those who want to enjoy it right away.

Related Post: Best Vegan Christmas Dessert Recipes

CHRISTMAS CARROT PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (19)

Source: Around The Nook

This unique carrot pudding is sure to be a hit with everyone! With just some basic ingredients like grated carrots and potatoes, raisins and currants, this dessert is steamed slowly to perfection. It might take a bit of time to make, but this Christmas pudding recipe has stood the test of time for good reason – it’s delicious!

RISALAMANDE (DANISH RICE PUDDING)

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (20)

Source: Lavender and Macarons

This holiday season, step out of your comfort zone and try Risalamande. It’s a creamy, soft Danish rice pudding with almonds that melts in your mouth, topped with a flavorful cherry sauce. Without a doubt, the Risalamande Recipe will become a beautiful and scrumptious addition to your festive holiday table.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS PUDDING CAKE

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (21)

Source: The Quirk and The Cool

Meet your new favorite holiday dessert – part tiramisu, part trifle! Layers of liqueur-soaked panettone are interspersed with a mascarpone/cream/egg/sugar mixture, then glacé fruit, chocolate, and pistachios are added.

MINI CHRISTMAS STEAMED PUDDINGS

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (22)

Source: The Cooking Collective

These mini Christmas puddings are the epitome of festive desserts – packed with fruit, spices, and all things nice. Tender yet flavorful, these single-serve delights take a modern spin on traditional pudding without skimping on quality or taste. And the best part? They’re ready in a quarter of the time! To make them extra special, serve them with brandy custard, runny cream or salted caramel sauce.

BREAD PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (23)

Source: Dinner Then Dessert

Bread Pudding is the PERFECT dessert for the holidays made with day-old bread, half and half, sugar, and vanilla, and only 45 minutes to bake!

TRADITIONAL YORKSHIRE PUDDING

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (24)

Source: The Kitchen Magpie

No British Sunday roast would be complete without a mouthwatering Yorkshire pudding. This delectable dish is usually served with roast beef, or a prime rib, carrots, green peas, and brown gravy. I’ve seen some meat variations such as roast duck mentioned too – that’s one I’m keeping to try later!

Now that you know how to make a Christmas pudding, it’s time to get cooking! Whether you’re serving it up for dessert after a big holiday meal or enjoying it as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea, this rich and decadent treat is sure to please everyone on your list. So dust off your pudding basin and get ready to whip up something special this holiday season!

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SOME CHRISTMAS PUDDING THAT YOU CAN BUY:

Sale

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (25)

Matthew Walker Luxury Christmas Pudding - 28.2 oz (800g)

  • Matthew Walker's Luxury Pudding is made of 13 core ingredients which represent Jesus and his twelve apostles.
  • This delicious and traditional pudding is a combination of the finest fruits and a unique blend of spices, cognac, and a local stout to make a perfectly moist and fruity pudding.
  • This is a large pudding and serves approx 8 people.

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (26)

628 Reviews

Tiptree Boxed Organic Christmas Pudding , 1 Pound

  • Reccomend serving warm with Brandy Butter melted over top.
  • Ingredients: Vine Fruits, Sugar, Cider, Breadcrumbs, Citrus Peel, Whole Eggs, 'Tawny' Orange Marmalade, Wheat Flour, Brandy, Rapeseed Oil, Mixed Spice, Salt. Made in a nut free factory, suitable for...
  • 1 pound or 454 grams.

Sale

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (27)

Walker’s Rich Fruit Pudding - 16 oz Plum Pudding for Christmas - Luxury Holiday Treat and Dessert from Scotland

  • Luxury Christmas pudding: Indulge in a signature take on a holiday classic with Walker’s flavorful plum pudding, thoroughly steamed for that rich moist Christmas pudding taste we all love
  • Make it memorable with Walker’s: Serve with clotted cream, pour on a little whisky or brandy, and set aflame for an extravagant dessert that won’t be soon forgotten
  • Scotland at its finest: Made from a traditional pudding recipe with its roots planted firmly in the past, this luxury holiday treat contains the finest ingredients including raisins, sultanas, candied...

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20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (28)

20+ Delicious Christmas Pudding Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

FAQs

What alcohol is best for Christmas pudding? ›

What better or more traditional way to finish off Christmas dinner than with a showstopping flaming Christmas pud? Brandy works wonderfully well and we've added more punch by infusing it with fantastically festive flavourings.

Which supermarket has the best Christmas puddings? ›

  • King George Christmas Pudding, 1.36kg. ...
  • George's Classic Christmas Pudding. ...
  • M&S Collection Christmas Pudding 12-Month Matured. ...
  • No. ...
  • Asda Extra Special 12-Month Matured Luxury Christmas Pudding 400g. ...
  • Morrisons The Best 18 Month Matured Christmas Pudding. ...
  • Specially Selected Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding 800g.
Nov 30, 2023

What item is traditionally 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 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.

Does alcohol burn off in Christmas pudding? ›

Once burning, the heat generated warms the liquid alcohol in the pudding, creating more vapour until eventually there is no more alcohol left to vapourise.

What to use instead of brandy in Christmas pudding? ›

You can use any other high alcohol liquor that you have to hand for flaming the pudding (though not a fortified wine, such as port) and cognac/brandy and whisky are often traditional choices. Port could be used for soaking the fruits for the pudding but make sure it is a sweet variety of port.

What is the most expensive Christmas pudding ever? ›

PUBLISHED: December 19, 2013 at 11:54 a.m. | UPDATED: January 10, 2019 at 10:57 a.m. A luxury retailer has created an extraordinarily decadent Christmas pudding recipe for those who love — really love — the traditional British dessert and have a spare GBP23,500 ($38,500) lying around.

What is the most expensive Christmas dessert? ›

Diamond fruitcake – $1,650,000 ($ 1.65 million) World's Most Expensive Desserts - Diamond Fruitcake Sold on Christmas 2005, this cake was also created by a Japanese pastry chef. Creating the cake required six months of conceptualization and another month to produce it. It's decorated with 223 diamonds.

What is the world's most expensive Christmas pudding? ›

A luxury website in the UK has started selling the world's most expensive Christmas pudding for a staggering $37,000 (£23,000). It's made by the Martin Chiffers who used to be the executive pastry chef at The Savoy in London and is, of course, packed with super expensive ingredients.

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

Can you eat 2 year old Christmas pudding? ›

Some Christmas puddings, made with dried fruit in the traditional way, are fine to be eaten as much as two years after they were made. "Bear in mind if the pudding is alcohol-free, of course, it will last a good while with the sugar content, but it will not last as long without alcohol to preserve it," stresses Juliet.

What is the thimble in Christmas pudding? ›

If you're old enough you will remember Christmas puddings containing coins that were said to bring the finder good luck. Before coins, charms were put inside Christmas puddings including a silver coin for wealth, a wishbone for luck, a thimble for thrift, a ring for marriage and an anchor for safe harbour.

When was Christmas pudding banned? ›

It wasn't until the mid-seventeenth century that this pudding became associated with Christmas which led to it being banned in 1647 by Oliver Cromwell who believed that it and other festive traditions led to drunken revelry instead of sombre reflection.

Why is Christmas pudding black? ›

The pudding is very dark, almost black in appearance due to the dark sugars and black treacle in most recipes, and its long cooking time. The mixture can be moistened with the juice of citrus fruits, brandy and other alcohol (some recipes call for dark beers such as mild, stout or porter).

Is Christmas pudding unhealthy? ›

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.

Is Christmas pudding made with whiskey or brandy? ›

Whip 250ml cream until it holds a figure eight shape and stir it into 250ml of cold custard. You can make this yourself or buy it pre-made. Pour in 35ml (one shot) of Irish Whiskey (or brandy) and add a pinch of grated nutmeg and stir until smooth.

Can you use rum instead of brandy in Christmas pudding? ›

Christmas pudding is traditionally soaked with alcohol, preferably brandy, for flavour maturation. However, many people prefer rum and whisky spirit with high alcohol content.

Can you use whiskey instead of brandy in Christmas pudding? ›

We would tend to err on the side of using a spirit with a higher alcohol content (such as rum or whisky) but a fortified wine with a long shelf life, such as a sweet Marsala or Madiera could also be used.

What alcohol is good to soak Christmas cake in? ›

You can use rum, brandy or whisky for spice, or if you like citrus flavours, try an orange liqueur. Cherry brandy and amaretto will also work well if you prefer these.

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