Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes Christmas Pudding Recipes Worth Celebrating By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: The Spruce Eats Although it's a British tradition, Christmas pudding is a concept we can get used to. Historically, it's said that it was introduced by Prince Albert in the Victorian era. Much like the fruitcakes we know and love in the South, traditional Christmas pudding recipes include dried fruits and warm spices. Also called figgy pudding or plum pudding (hence the fruit ingredients), it doesn't resemble the creamy version that comes to mind when you hear the word. Instead, Christmas pudding is more of a cake, which is actually steamed instead of baked in the oven. Traditionally, it is made on "Stir Up Day," the Sunday before advent. Every member of the house must take a turn stirring the recipe, while making a wish for the coming year while doing so. Some families include a silver sixpence in the recipe for good luck. Traditional recipes are true labors of love, because they require ample resting and steaming time. These recipes are true make-ahead desserts that are filled with tradition and history.We have good news, though. If you're not into fruitcake, British tradition, or steaming a cake for hours on end, we also gathered some of our favorite American pudding recipes. From festive gingerbread to flavorful coconut to the classic chocolate, pudding recipes can take any form you like. Whether you go traditional or try something new, the whole family will be happy if you include a pudding in the dessert lineup. 01 of 24 Mary Berry’s Christmas Pudding BBC Recipe: Mary Berry’s Christmas Pudding Although we’re not versed in traditional British recipes, we trust Mary Berry to give us an incredible one to try. 02 of 24 Chocolate-Buttermilk Pudding Photo: Alison Miksch Recipe: Chocolate-Buttermilk Pudding Make this classic pudding the day before your event and let it chill overnight in the fridge. 03 of 24 Holiday Gingerbread Pudding Oxmoor House Recipe: Holiday Gingerbread Pudding Your guests won’t believe this festive dessert came together entirely in your slow cooker. 04 of 24 Café Brûlot Bread Pudding Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner Recipe: Café Brûlot Bread Pudding Coffee lovers, here’s the dessert you can serve at every luncheon this season. 05 of 24 Raspberry Panna Cotta Iain Bagwell Recipe: Raspberry Panna Cotta Garnished with a sprig of fresh rosemary, this red and white dessert is ideal for Christmastime. 06 of 24 Coconut Pudding Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Coconut Pudding Dreaming of a white Christmas? This snowy dessert will look beautiful on your table. 07 of 24 Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding Christopher Testani Recipe: Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding If you find yourself with ripe bananas this holiday season, make this incredible pudding instead of banana bread. 08 of 24 Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding Jennifer Davick Recipe: Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding Caramel and apple are one of our favorite flavor combinations for fall and winter, and this bread pudding showcases them both perfectly. 09 of 24 Traditional Christmas Pudding Supergolden Bakes Recipe: Traditional Christmas Pudding With this traditional Christmas pudding recipe, your family will have plenty of good luck in the new year. 10 of 24 Berry Bread Pudding Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Berry Bread Pudding The luscious raspberry sauce that tops this bread pudding recipe will look festive for Christmas. 11 of 24 Lemony Rice Pudding with Figs and Saba Photo: Squire Fox Recipe: Lemony Rice Pudding with Figs and Saba This beautiful recipe puts tired “figgy pudding” to shame. 12 of 24 Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings Jim Franco Recipe: Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings We can’t think of a recipe that combines more of our favorite flavors for the holidays. 13 of 24 Café Con Leche Custard Cups Jennifer Davick, Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey, Buffy Hargett / Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns, Normal King Recipe: Café Con Leche Custard Cups You can make this recipe a day ahead to lighten your load on the day you’re hosting. 14 of 24 Praline Bread Pudding Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Praline Bread Pudding You’ll want to eat the decadent praline sauce with a spoon, and we don’t blame you. 15 of 24 Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings Photo: Alison Miksch Recipe: Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings To be so pretty and delicious, this recipe has a surprisingly short ingredient list. Bonus: The sauce is delicious atop ice cream, so save any extra you have. 16 of 24 White Chocolate Panna Cotta With Dark Chocolate Sauce Photo: Jennifer Davick Recipe: White Chocolate Panna Cotta With Dark Chocolate Sauce This creamy dessert will look beautiful on your holiday table, and it can be made a day in advance. 17 of 24 The Best Christmas Pudding The Spruce Eats Recipe: The Best Christmas Pudding This traditional Christmas pudding recipe needs to be made ahead, which will save you time on the day you serve it. 18 of 24 Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Jennifer Davick Recipe: Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Celebrate a Creole Christmas with this boozy bread pudding that’s to die for. 19 of 24 Chocolate Pudding Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett Recipe: Chocolate Pudding This easy, crowd-pleasing chocolate pudding recipe has two twists you can try this season—chocolate-espresso and raspberry-chocolate. 20 of 24 Apple Bread Pudding Helen Norman Recipe: Apple Bread Pudding Cinnamon-raisin bread is the base for this pretty holiday dessert. 21 of 24 Buttermilk Panna Cotta With Zinfandel-Poached Figs Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Buttermilk Panna Cotta With Zinfandel-Poached Figs Figs are perfect for the holidays, and this creamy panna cotta is beautiful for parties. Bonus: It can be made up to two weeks in advance. 22 of 24 Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce Alison Miksch Recipe: Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce Use one loaf of Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread for the bread pudding, and give another as a hostess gift. 23 of 24 Cornbread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Photo: Brian Woodcock Recipe: Cornbread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Drizzle Whiskey Caramel over pies and ice cream throughout the holiday season. 24 of 24 Brown Butter Gingerbread Figgy Puddings Sincerely Tori Recipe: Brown Butter Gingerbread Figgy Puddings These beautiful mini figgy puddings are topped with an indulgent brown butter glaze. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit