A Taste of Tradition: All About Christmas Puddings
A Little History: The Origins of Christmas Pudding
The Christmas pudding we know and love today has evolved from a medieval dessert called “frumenty.” This dish, made of beef, mutton, and dried fruits, was a hearty, savoury meal served during the winter months. As tastes changed over the centuries, frumenty transformed into a sweeter, more festive treat. By the 17th century, it began to take the form of a steamed pudding with flour, sugar, and spices, cooked slowly and wrapped in cloth—a crucial step that added to its distinctive texture and flavour.
In the 1830s, Christmas pudding was cemented as a holiday tradition, thanks in part to Victorian customs and the influence of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, where it takes centre stage at the Cratchit family dinner. This "plum pudding" quickly became synonymous with Christmas, carrying a warm reminder of family, celebration, and seasonal cheer.
Making Christmas Pudding: Stir-Up Sunday and Tradition
Making a traditional Christmas pudding isn’t just about mixing ingredients; it’s about creating memories and following age-old rituals. On “Stir-Up Sunday,” the last Sunday before Advent, families come together to prepare the pudding. Traditionally, everyone in the family takes a turn to stir the mixture from east to west in honour of the journey of the Wise Men.
It’s also customary to add a few coins to the mix, bringing luck to the person who finds them in their serving. Some even place charms representing good health, wealth, or love—adding a little bit of mystery and fortune-telling to each bite!
Variations on a Classic
Though the classic Christmas pudding is beloved for its deep, spicy flavours, many variations exist to suit different tastes:
-
Classic Christmas Pudding – A combination of dried fruits, brandy, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
-
Figgy Pudding – Made popular by the carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas, figgy pudding adds a twist with extra figs and often a splash of rum.
-
Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding – An excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions, it swaps traditional flour for almond flour or a gluten-free mix without compromising the taste.
-
Vegan Christmas Pudding – For those avoiding animal products, this variation uses dairy-free butter and an egg substitute like flaxseed, but still delivers the same richness and depth.
-
Sticky Toffee Pudding – While not strictly a Christmas pudding, this rich, caramelised dessert has won many hearts and is a favourite alternative for pudding lovers.
How to Serve Christmas Pudding
Serving Christmas pudding is a performance in itself! Once the pudding is steamed and ready, it’s doused with a generous pour of brandy or whisky, then lit to create a spectacular blue flame. This fiery display adds drama and excitement to the dinner table, wowing guests of all ages.
Once the flames have subsided, serve your pudding warm with classic accompaniments like brandy butter, custard, or heavy cream. Each bite is a delicious mix of dense, moist cake, fruity sweetness, and a slight, comforting warmth from the spices.
The Great Christmas Pudding Debate
No British tradition would be complete without a little controversy! For some, Christmas pudding is a treasured must-have, while others find it overly dense or too rich. This has sparked a debate over whether Christmas pudding is an “essential” or a tradition that’s grown a bit old-fashioned. Many love the ritual and heritage it represents, while others prefer a lighter dessert to finish off a large Christmas feast.
At Kelly’s Expat Shopping, we say: why not enjoy both? If Christmas pudding isn’t your favourite, consider some other British holiday favourites like mince pies or yule logs, both also available in-store and online.
Christmas Pudding at Kelly’s Expat Shopping
Whether you're following tradition or trying Christmas pudding for the first time, Kelly’s Expat Shopping offers Matthew Walker Christmas Puddings, renowned for their rich flavor and quality. Choose from the classic or luxury varieties in convenient sizes of 100g, 400g, and 800g, perfect for any gathering. These delicious puddings bring the authentic taste of British Christmas right to your holiday table, making it easy to enjoy this beloved tradition.
Visit our holiday section for everything you need to create a cozy, classic British Christmas. And don’t forget to start stirring on Stir-Up Sunday!
Wishing you a warm, delicious, and festive Christmas season from Kelly’s Expat Shopping!
