Ben Dearnley
If you’re a holiday traditionalist, you’re already thinking about a Christmas pudding recipe to complete your festive feast. An irresistible dessert of brandy-lashed batter and glacé fruits, Christmas pudding can be made up to six weeks before the event itself. With sugar and spice (and all things nice!), Christmas pudding is classic closer for any holiday meal—whether that include a Christmas ham, seafood platter, or roast.
If you’re looking to try something new, consider one of our modern or classic Christmas pudding recipes. From the traditional boiled pudding, to plum pudding, and even Christmas pudding ice cream, browse our collection of recipes to complete your Yuletide feast.
The best Christmas pudding recipes, 2025
Traditional Christmas pudding with Pedro Ximénez and brown sugar and fig ice-cream
Rich Christmas pudding with muscat custard
Ronda’s Christmas pudding by Jeremy Strode
Double plum pudding with brown sugar hard sauce
Raspberry and peach butterscotch pudding
How to make a boiled Christmas pudding
Classic boiled Christmas pudding
Rodney Dunn’s Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding semifreddo
Lauren Eldridge’s Christmas fruit pudding frozen nougatine
Christmas ice-cream cake with festive crumb
Frozen Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding FAQs
A traditional Christmas Pudding is made from 13 ingredients:Â flour, eggs, suet, brown sugar, bread crumbs, raisins, currants, citron, lemon peel, orange peel, mixed spices, milk, and brandy. These 13 ingredients symbolise Jesus and the 12 apostles. In another Biblical reference, brandy is poured over the top of the boiled pudding and set alight to represent the passion of Christ.
The ideal time to make a Christmas pudding is approximately 5-6 weeks before Christmas Day. However, at a pinch you can make a pudding a day in advance, as most recipes take around six hours to prepare. The further in advance you make your pudding, the more your flavours will fortify and become richer. In his Christmas Pudding recipe, Rodney Dunn says people used to make their puddings up to a year in advance! Come Christmas Day, reheat your pudding by boiling in cloth (50 minutes to an hour) or microwaving (5-10 minutes on medium). Serve with custard or ice cream and enjoy!
