National Plum Pudding Day

2 minutes read

Plums are delicious fruits that make great desserts. They’re also very popular in England. Today (February 12) is National Plum Pudding Day!

History of National Plum Pudding Day

National Plum Pudding Day is dedicated to a mouthwatering treat that, surprisingly enough, contains no plums! This seems to be related to the fact that, back in the 17th century when the dish was first created, plums were referred to as raisins, currants, figs or any other type of dried fruits.

Also, those who are American won’t really find it to be what they think of as pudding either. It’s actually more of a cake that is boiled (not baked). Nevertheless, it is called “plum pudding”, in the British tradition of ‘pudding’ which includes desserts of many different types.

By the mid-1600s, plum pudding was so associated with Christmas that it was banned by Puritan powers such as Oliver Cromwell but was quickly restored a decade or so later when the Puritans lost their power.

Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope and other Victorians of influence had a lot to do with making plum pudding and Christmas pudding a central figure in their holiday celebrations. Since then, National Plum Pudding Day has developed as a way to celebrate this delightful icon on a day all its own.

How to Celebrate Plum Pudding

Enjoying this day might require a bit of preparation, but it’s totally worth it! Try out these ideas for celebrating:

Try Making Plum Pudding at Home

While plum pudding can be made and eaten all within a short period of time, making it in advance and letting it rest for several weeks is the best way to allow the flavors to meld together and the color to deepen. In fact, many people plan their plum puddings out about 4-6 weeks in advance.

Some of these pudding recipes might be very symbolic, including 13 ingredients that are representative of Jesus and his 12 disciples. Some of the most important ingredients include molasses, butter, flour, spices, and candied fruits. Many people also like to make a hard sauce (with brandy or rum) for serving over the top.

Enjoy Eating Plum Pudding

Certainly, this type of dessert is best when eaten with a group of beloved people! Invite friends, family members or neighbors over for this mid-winter day in celebration of this delicious dessert. Play some fun games (such as “pass the pud”), sing some fun songs, pour some glasses of wine and simply enjoy the traditions surrounding National Plum Pudding Day.