Aged preserves, wines and cheeses are widely considered the height of premium indulgence. But how exactly does aged pudding work?
Following the invention of the pudding cloth in the 16th century, traditional plum pudding went from being a strangely meat-heavy dish made by packing fat, spices, fruits, meats, grains and vegetables into animal stomachs for preservation, to becoming the aromatic and alcohol-infused dessert we know and love (or hate) today.
Though suet remains a key ingredient in plum pudding (vegetarians and vegans beware), the humble pudding cloth can preserve a dessert of any size for months on end – removing the need for those pesky animal organs. The ‘plum’ aspect of the dessert merely refers to the dried fruits such as raisins, currants and prunes that are often enveloped in the dessert mixture.
Traditional plum pudding makers tend to adhere to the distinctly festive recipe, which includes 13 ingredients to represent the apostles, and flaming brandy to symbolise the passion of Christ. No wonder Cromwell felt the need to ban it. Thankfully, King George I is said to have brought the dessert back to the forefront following his ascension to the throne, which is why he’s sometimes referred to as the “Pudding King”.
Whether or not it can be deemed a family favourite remains up for debate, but serving up a classic plum pudding is certainly an important Christmas tradition for many. It’s made by mixing flour, breadcrumbs, your choice of currants and fruits, spices, orange rind, eggs, ale or stout, sugar and brandy. Though not often commercially available, some bakers still include a lucky coin or wishbone in their mixture.
Once combined, the mixture is packed into greased pudding basins and covered tightly with floured pudding cloths tied with string. They are then boiled in steamers for roughly six to eight hours and can be stored for as long as you need.
Before serving, make sure to steam the pudding again before heating two tablespoons of brandy, setting it alight, and pouring it over the dessert. Aged plum pudding is simply a version of the dessert which, once made, has been left in its pudding cloth for an extended period of time to develop even fruitier aromas.
From classic supermarket favourites to high-end aged puds, we’ve curated a selection of the best plum puddings for Christmas 2024 below.
King George Christmas Pudding, 1.36kg
As traditional as it gets, the behemoth Christmas pud from Fortnum’s – our beloved late Queen Lizzie’s local supermarché – weighs a whopping 1.36kg. Made using real beef suet, this pud is made using Fortnum’s own Cognac, Pusser’s full-strength Navy Rum and is served with Cognac butter. We’re feeling slightly tipsy just thinking about it.
Buy now £44.95, F&M
Tesco Finest Black Forest Christmas Puddings
The perfect Christmas pudding for those who can’t stand the bitter flavours of a traditional option, Tesco’s Finest Black Forest pud is filled to the brim with Belgian chocolate chunks. It’s also made with vine-ripened fruits, glace cherries and almonds which have been coated in a golden syrup sauce. All of the heritage, none of the dusty old taste.
Buy now £12.00, Tesco
Harrods Ultimate Christmas Pudding
According to Harrods, the retailer doesn’t use the term ‘ultimate’ lightly – and we can’t help but concur, for this pud is truly filled with the finest ingredients possible. From Chilean flame raisins, Vostizza currants, nuts, cherries and candied peel to Pedro Ximénez sherry/cognac, cider, port, rum and brandy with a panettone crumb – it’s worth the extra few pounds (in both senses of the word).
Buy now £15.00, Harrods
M&S Collection Christmas Pudding 12-Month Matured
When it comes to traditional English eating, no one does it better than M&S. This perfectly sweet and aromatic 12-month matured Christmas pud is made with vine fruits, brandy-soaked cherries, Braeburn apples and nuts. It’s enriched, but not overwhelmed with, brandy and rum before being finished with cognac.
Buy now £14.00, Ocado
Cartwright & Butler Traditional Christmas Pudding
We adore how this traditional plum pudding from Cartwright & Butler is realised in a rare perfectly spherical form. The most difficult shape of pudding to make, it’s sometimes referred to as a cannonball because of its hefty weight. The traditional recipe comprises fruit, nuts and spices for a truly aromatic, festive Christmas centrepiece.
Buy now £30.00, Cartwright & Butler
Exceptional by ASDA Luxury Christmas Pudding
An exceptionally nutty option for those who prefer a pudding which isn’t as heavy on the dried fruit topping as other traditional centrepieces, Asda’s dessert is filled with sumptuous vine fruits, glacé cherries, almonds and walnuts as well as a classic blend of Cognac and sherry.
Buy now £8.00, ASDA
George's Classic Christmas Pudding
Packaged in a traditional pudding cloth, Devon-based Georgie Porgie’s Puddings has made a name for itself as the top recreator of King George I’s favourite Christmas dessert. You can pre-order this pud up to a year in advance, and it’s available in four different sizes – from 142g to an eye-watering 2.2kg. Extra points for being entirely spherical.
Buy now £9.75, Georgie Porgies Puddings
No.1 Christmas Pudding
Though one of the more expensive supermarket Christmas puds, the Waitrose No.1 Christmas Pudding is created with an abundance of luxuriously plump, dried fruits, pecans and Cognac before being matured for an entire year to develop that signature, incredibly rich flavour.
Buy now £12.50, Waitrose
