British Pudding Recipes
Passed down from generation to generation, British pudding recipes are a must-try for foreigners who are not very familiar with these particular desserts. Traditional Brit puddings are essentially steamed, baked, or boiled cakes that are very moist and take the shape of the bowl they’re cooked in. From the rich, sticky toffee pudding to the light, airy sponge, these desserts hold a special place in the hearts of British foodies. They evoke warmth and a sense of nostalgia, taking you back to past holiday celebrations with Christmas pudding, Eve’s pudding, spotted dick, and figgy pudding, to name a few. There’s a pudding for every season, mood, and occasion. Here are some of our reader-favourite puddings, complete with seasonal tips and a few amusing anecdotes.
1
Original Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Cooking Tip: My trick is to serve this pudding warm, with a generous drizzle of rich toffee sauce and a scoop of custard or fresh cream for the perfect pairing with the caramel-buttery sauce.Seasonality: This old-fashioned sticky toffee pudding is made with boiled dates and luckily these can be enjoyable all year round though it thruly tastes like winter. I find this dessert particularly soothing for colder months especially during the holidays.Why Readers Love It: The combination of moist sponge and rich deep flavours of sweet, luscious toffee sauce makes sticky toffee pudding a favourite among readers. It's both comforting and indulgent, making it a perfect ending to any meal.Fun Fact: Many believe that the origins of sticky toffee pudding are from the Lake District in England, dating back to the 20th century. Nowadays, it's one of the desserts that has survived generations and can still be found on the trendiest London Christmas menus. We can fairly say that it's now a staple on dessert menus across the UK!
Sticky Toffee Pudding
2
Easy Canned Apricot Upside Down Pudding
Cooking Tip: This is a twist on the more popular pineapple upside-down pudding featured in one of Mary Berry's books. Using canned halved apricots and stem ginger, the result is only for you to discover. For a twist on this classic pudding, try adding a splash of almond extract to the batter to enhance the flavour of the apricots and add a delightful nuttiness.Seasonality: The recipe uses canned apricots in syrup, which can be used all year round. However, when apricots are in season, they bring a fresh, juicy sweetness to this pudding, making it a wholesome alternative for summer.Why Readers Love It: This pudding is cherished both for its stunning presentation and for the contrast of the sweet fruity topping with the soft sponge. Easy and perfect for special occasions—what's not to like?Fun Fact: Upside-down cakes and puddings have a long history in British cuisine, often featuring seasonal fruits. The technique of baking the fruit at the bottom ensures that it caramelizes beautifully, creating a delicious glaze when flipped.
Apricot Upside Down Pudding
3
Apricot Bread and Butter Pudding
Cooking Tip: This is a twist on the more popular pineapple upside-down pudding featured in one of Mary Berry's books. Using canned halved apricots and stem ginger, the result is only for you to discover. For a twist on this classic pudding, try adding a splash of almond extract to the batter to enhance the flavour of the apricots and add a delightful nuttiness.Seasonality: The recipe uses canned apricots in syrup, which can be used all year round. However, when apricots are in season, they bring a fresh, juicy sweetness to this pudding, making it a wholesome alternative for summer.Why Readers Love It: This pudding is cherished both for its stunning presentation and for the contrast of the sweet fruity topping with the soft sponge. Easy and also perfect for special occasions—what's not to like?Fun Fact: Upside-down cakes and puddings have a long history in British cuisine, often featuring seasonal fruits. The technique of baking the fruit at the bottom ensures that it caramelizes beautifully, creating a delicious glaze when flipped.
Apricot Bread & Butter Pudding
4
Treacle Suet Pudding with Orange Sauce
Cooking Tip: Serve this traditional suet pudding is served with a rich orange sauce, Substitute with lemon or add a touch of lemon zest to the orange sauce for added brightness.Seasonality: Treacle suet pudding features suet, which is rendered animal fat, and treacle, a type of syrup. While suet is a year-round staple, this pudding shines during colder months, making it a comforting choice as the weather turns.Why Readers Love It: Treacle suet pudding is a nostalgic dish that brings back memories of family meals. Its sweet, sticky texture combined with the hearty suet creates a deliciously comforting dessert that warms the soul.Fun Fact: This pudding has roots dating back to the Victorian era and was often made as a hearty, filling dessert for working-class families. Its simplicity and richness have helped it endure as a British favourite.
Orange Treacle Suet Pudding
5
Chocolate Fudge Pudding
Cooking Tip: Chocolate Fudge Pudding is kind of magical. It's a dessert where you pour chocolate sauce on top, and the result is a crispy top and a gooey, moist base without overcooking. Serve with a handful of toasted hazelnuts and perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream.Seasonality: Chocolate fudge pudding can be enjoyed year-round, but it feels especially indulgent during the colder months. You can use high-quality cocoa powder and dark chocolate for the most decadent chocolate cake.Why Readers Love It: This pudding is adored for its rich chocolate flavour and gooey texture, similar to that of a lava cake. It's a go-to dessert for chocolate lovers, perfect as a sweet treat for a romantic dinner or a family gathering.Fun Fact: Chocolate fudge pudding is often served as a ‘self-saucing’ dessert, meaning it creates its own sauce during baking, making it a unique and delightful addition to any dessert table.
Chocolate Fudge Pudding
Conclusion
British puddings are not just desserts; each of them has a different tradition and story. Equally warm and delicious, you can choose whether to indulge in a classic sticky toffee pudding or enjoy the fruity delight of an apricot upside-down cake. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed!