The Surprising History of the Christmas Puddingby Kimberly Keagan
December 1, 2025 If you’ve been in my Puddings & Pages Club for a while, you already know I have a soft spot for English steamed puddings. My favorite is the first one I ever had as a child at my grandparents’ flat in London—the Christmas pudding, also known as plum pudding. (Note: This is not American fruitcake as some people think!) Since December has officially arrived, I thought it would be fun to share the surprising history behind this pudding. And trust me—its story is not at all what you might expect. Most people picture the classic Victorian version: a dark, glossy sphere studded with fruit, crowned with holly, and set dramatically alight before being carried to the table. But the earliest Christmas puddings were nothing like this elegant dessert. In the Middle Ages, the dish began as a savory, meat-filled porridge called plum pottage. It included beef or mutton, wine or ale, root vegetables, dried fruits, and warming spices—a hearty, practical meal designed to fill bellies in cold weather. Dessert wasn’t the point at all. 
Photo: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Over time, though, the recipe began to shift. By the seventeenth century, the meats slowly disappeared, the dried fruit and spirits increased, and the mixture thickened enough to be tied in a cloth and boiled. Imagine a rustic, lumpy sphere boiled for hours in linen—certainly a step closer to our modern pudding, but not quite there yet. The Puritans even tried to ban it in the 1650s for being too indulgent, which is usually a sign that something is getting delicious.
The pudding truly came into its own during the Victorian era. This was the moment when Christmas traditions blossomed, and families embraced the idea of gathering, feasting, and celebrating with a symbolic holiday dish. Charles Dickens helped romanticize it in A Christmas Carol, and global trade made spices and dried fruits more accessible. New stoves and kitchen tools made steaming easier, too. All these things combined to produce a moist, rich, fruit-filled dessert that the characters in my historical romances would instantly recognize. |
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Another charming part of the tradition is Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent, when families mixed their batter for the coming celebration. The name actually comes from the Anglican prayer for the day—“Stir up, we beseech thee…”—but Victorian cooks took it as a convenient reminder. Puddings were made weeks or even months ahead because they improved over time. The fruits soaked. The flavors deepened. Some cooks even “fed” their pudding with extra brandy as it rested. It was the edible version of holiday anticipation.
Victorian households also surrounded the pudding with fun rituals. Every member of the family took a turn stirring the mixture from east to west, said to honor the journey of the Magi. Wishes were whispered into the batter. Coins or charms were tucked inside for luck, prosperity, thrift, or—if you found a hidden ring—marriage. |
Photo: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
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And of course, nothing beats the dramatic finale. Just before serving, a ladle of brandy was warmed, drizzled over the pudding, and set alight. A soft blue flame wrapped around the dessert as it was carried into the dining room, children wide-eyed, adults proudly pretending they weren’t the least bit nervous about setting their meal on fire. The tradition symbolized light and joy, but I suspect a little theatrical flair had something to do with it.
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Left photo www.mumwhatelse.com; Right photo from DepositPhotos.com
Today, many families still make Christmas puddings, though the tradition isn’t as widespread on this side of the Atlantic. I love it not just because it’s delicious, but because it connects us to generations before us—families stirring, wishing, sharing stories, and marking time as they prepared for Christmas.
Have you ever made a Christmas pudding? Or tasted one? I’d love to hear your stories—successful attempts, not-so-great attempts, and favorite variations. And check out my December newsletter where I walk you through how to make this delicious tradition. |
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My Christmas Pudding Creation!