Also known as Christmas pudding, National Plum Pudding Day celebrates a traditional holiday dessert. On February 12th, learn about this tasty treat with an interesting history.
Plum pudding is made by steaming or boiling and the pudding is usually served during the holiday season. Interestingly, many of the recipes don't even contain any plums. One explanation given is that during the 17th century, plums were referred to as raisins or other fruits.
The name Christmas pudding is first recorded in 1858 in a novel by Anthony Trollope.
Plum pudding is usually made up of nutmeg, raisins, nuts, apples, cinnamon, and dates, along with other ingredients. In England, traditionally every person in the home holds onto the wooden spoon together to help stir the batter. While they are stirring, they also make a wish! Plum pudding has also been known to be called plum duff.
Plum Pudding FAQ
Q. Why is it called plum pudding when it's more like a cake?
A. The terms cake and pudding were once interchangeable. During the Victorian era, anything containing dried fruits was called cakes or puddings.
Q. Is plum pudding sweet?
A. Plum pudding can be either savory or sweet.
Q. What is the rhyme where a boy puts his thumb in a cake and pulls out a plum?
A. The title of the Mother Goose rhyme is called "Little Jack Horner" and it goes like this:
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas Pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I!"
Have you ever had plum pudding?
