Christmas pudding

A rich, dark steamed pudding of dried fruit, suet, spices and breadcrumbs, made weeks ahead and served flaming at Christmas in Britain and Ireland.

Christmas pudding: A dark domed Christmas pudding with a sprig of holly on top, brandy flames glowing blue around it
  • Chocolate, sugar and confectionery
  • England

Also called: plum pudding

Christmas pudding is also called plum pudding, from an old word for raisins. Raisins, currants, candied peel, brown sugar, spices, breadcrumbs, flour, eggs and suet or butter are mixed, often with beer, brandy or stout, then steamed for many hours in a basin. It is stored in a cool place to mature, then steamed again before serving.

Traditionally, it is doused with warm brandy and set alight at the table, then served with brandy butter, custard or cream. Many families mix the batter together on a Sunday in late November.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. A history of Christmas pudding, SOAS University of London