Introduction
Nothing says “Christmas” quite like the rich aroma of a classic pudding simmering away in the kitchen. Whether you love the deep, fruity flavor of traditional recipes or prefer something lighter and modern, these Christmas puddings bring pure comfort to the festive season. Here are 23 heartwarming recipes that will make your table glow with nostalgia and joy.
1. Classic British Christmas Pudding
This timeless recipe captures the spirit of Christmas with dried fruits, brandy, and spices that fill your home with festive warmth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup currants
- ½ cup chopped dried figs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup suet or butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup dark beer or stout
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ cup brandy
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add eggs, beer, and brandy. Stir until combined.
- Spoon into a greased pudding basin and cover with parchment.
- Steam for 5 hours over medium heat.
- Store in a cool place for at least two weeks before serving.
How to Serve It
Flame it with warm brandy and serve with custard or vanilla ice cream.
2. Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding
Rich and sweet, this pudding blends dates and brown sugar for a moist, toffee-flavored treat that’s irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dates
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup toffee sauce
Instructions
- Soak dates in boiling water and baking soda for 10 minutes.
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time.
- Fold in flour and baking powder, then stir in the soaked dates.
- Pour into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes.
- Pour warm toffee sauce over before serving.
How to Serve It
Top with whipped cream or vanilla custard.
3. Plum Pudding with Brandy Butter
A luxurious, fruit-packed pudding paired with buttery brandy sauce for that classic British holiday touch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped prunes
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup currants
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- ½ tsp allspice
- ¼ cup brandy
Instructions
- Combine fruits and brandy. Let soak overnight.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Spoon into a pudding basin and steam for 4 hours.
- Rest for a few days before reheating to serve.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with brandy butter or a drizzle of rum sauce.
4. Figgy Christmas Pudding
This figgy pudding brings sweet nostalgia with tender figs, brown sugar, and a deep, earthy sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried figs
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Chop figs finely and mix with raisins and nuts.
- Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs.
- Fold in dry ingredients and milk.
- Steam for 3 hours in a greased pudding basin.
How to Serve It
Top with honey and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
5. Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding
A rich, chocolatey twist on the classic pudding that bursts with citrus flavor and Christmas cheer.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in orange juice and zest.
- Fold in dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
- Steam for 2½ hours.
How to Serve It
Serve with orange sauce or melted chocolate drizzle.
6. Apple and Cinnamon Pudding
Warm, comforting, and full of holiday spice—this pudding pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 2 apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Arrange apples at the bottom of a greased pan.
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, then fold in flour and cinnamon.
- Pour over apples and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dust with cinnamon sugar and serve warm with custard.
7. Gingerbread Christmas Pudding
For those who love gingerbread cookies, this pudding brings that same warmth in a soft, comforting dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a greased pudding mold.
- Steam for 2 hours.
How to Serve It
Top with cream cheese frosting or whipped cream.
8. Cranberry & Orange Steamed Pudding
Tangy cranberries and bright orange combine for a refreshing twist on the traditional Christmas pudding.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in orange zest and juice.
- Fold in flour, baking powder, and milk.
- Stir in cranberries and pour into a greased pudding basin.
- Steam for 2½ hours.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with a drizzle of orange sauce or vanilla custard.
9. Treacle Christmas Pudding
This pudding has a deep, caramel-like flavor from treacle that makes every bite taste like Christmas magic.
Ingredients
- ½ cup black treacle (or molasses)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix butter, sugar, and treacle together.
- Add eggs, then fold in dry ingredients and spices.
- Spoon into a greased basin, cover tightly.
- Steam for 3 hours.
How to Serve It
Top with extra warm treacle and serve with clotted cream.
10. Rum & Raisin Christmas Pudding
Bold and aromatic, this pudding is soaked with rum and raisins for a festive treat with a grown-up twist.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- ¼ cup dark rum
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Soak raisins in rum overnight.
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Fold in flour, cinnamon, and milk.
- Stir in soaked raisins.
- Steam for 3 hours.
How to Serve It
Pour a splash of warm rum over the top before serving.
11. Pecan Caramel Pudding
Nutty pecans and sweet caramel make this pudding irresistibly rich and buttery.
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in flour and milk.
- Add pecans and pour into greased dish.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
- Pour caramel sauce over while warm.
How to Serve It
Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
12. Coconut Christmas Pudding
Tropical and creamy, this pudding brings sunshine to your holiday table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until smooth.
- Pour into a greased basin.
- Steam for 2 hours.
How to Serve It
Top with coconut cream and fresh raspberries.
13. Baileys Irish Cream Pudding
Smooth, boozy, and indulgent — this pudding is a true holiday dessert for adults.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup Baileys Irish Cream
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Stir in flour, cocoa, Baileys, and milk.
- Steam for 2½ hours.
How to Serve It
Serve with Baileys-flavored whipped cream or chocolate ganache.
14. Mince Pie Pudding
Combines the rich fruitiness of mince pies with the warmth of a classic Christmas pudding.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mincemeat
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Fold in flour, cinnamon, and milk.
- Stir in mincemeat.
- Steam for 3 hours.
How to Serve It
Add a spoonful of brandy butter or clotted cream.
15. Carrot Spice Pudding
Like carrot cake in pudding form — soft, spicy, and full of holiday flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated carrots
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Combine butter and sugar, then add eggs.
- Mix in carrots, flour, spices, and milk.
- Steam for 2½ hours.
How to Serve It
Top with cream cheese icing or maple glaze.
16. Walnut & Date Pudding
Sweet dates and crunchy walnuts make this pudding beautifully textured and naturally sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dates
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs.
- Stir in dates, nuts, flour, and milk.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with caramel sauce or ice cream.
17. Lemon Drizzle Pudding
Light, zesty, and refreshing — perfect for balancing out rich Christmas dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Stir in flour, lemon zest, and milk.
- Steam for 2 hours.
- Pour lemon syrup over when done.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle with zest and serve with whipped cream.
18. Maple Toffee Pudding
Sweet maple and buttery toffee flavors make this pudding melt-in-your-mouth good.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Mix butter, sugar, and syrup.
- Add eggs, then flour and milk.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes.
- Drizzle with warm toffee sauce.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with a drizzle of extra maple syrup.
19. Chestnut Christmas Pudding
Earthy chestnuts add depth and richness to this luxurious winter pudding.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chestnut puree
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup flour
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Mix in chestnut puree, flour, and vanilla.
- Steam for 2 hours.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with chocolate sauce or serve with whipped cream.
20. Berry & Almond Pudding
Sweet berries and nutty almonds bring a lovely balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed berries
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup ground almonds
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Fold in flour, almonds, and milk.
- Stir in berries and steam for 2½ hours.
How to Serve It
Dust with powdered sugar and serve with berry compote.
21. Caramel Fig Pudding
Deeply flavorful and sticky, this pudding is perfect for lovers of caramel and fruit desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried figs, chopped
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Stir in flour, figs, and milk.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
- Pour caramel sauce over top.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with extra caramel drizzle.
22. White Chocolate Cranberry Pudding
Sweet, creamy, and tart all in one — this pudding feels festive and modern.
Ingredients
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Fold in flour, milk, cranberries, and chocolate.
- Steam for 2½ hours.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with vanilla cream or melted white chocolate.
23. Nutmeg Vanilla Pudding
Simple yet comforting, this pudding has that cozy vanilla-and-spice flavor that feels like a Christmas hug.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Whisk eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
- Warm milk and slowly pour into egg mix.
- Pour into ramekins and bake in a water bath at 325°F (160°C) for 40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dust with nutmeg and enjoy warm or chilled.
Conclusion
From rich, boozy classics to light, fruity favorites, these Christmas puddings are made to bring comfort and joy to every festive table. Try one (or several!) of these cozy recipes this season — they’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or keeping all to yourself with a warm cup of tea.
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