15 best Christmas pudding recipes

15 homemade Christmas puddings

1. Classic Christmas pudding

Classic Christmas pudding on a black plate

You don’t get much more traditional than this dark, sticky basin pud. Packed with raisins, candied peel, apples and almonds, it’s drenched in brandy and given extra body with breadcrumbs. Make it in November to serve on the big day, with extra brandy for lighting, of course.

Classic Christmas pudding recipe

2. Mandarin-in-the-middle Christmas pudding

Christmas pudding topped with holly berries with a slice cut out of it, showing a mandarin in the centre

Some people like to hide a coin in the middle of their pudding, but we prefer a juicy citrus fruit. Cooked until tender and drenched in orange liqueur syrup, the mandarin tucked in the centre of this pud is a true jewel in the crown of your Christmas table.

Mandarin-in-the-middle Christmas pudding recipe

3. Last-minute Christmas pudding

If you’re reading this on Christmas Eve and panicking about pudding, our quick and easy recipe is the rescue remedy you need. It has all the hallmarks of a traditional Christmas pudding, but it’s made with a jar of mincemeat. Just combine the ingredients in your basin and microwave it on the day – easy as (mince) pie!

Last-minute Christmas pudding recipe

4. Vegan Christmas pudding

Christmas pudding on a plate with the front crumbling off

With a just few simple swaps, you can transform a standard Christmas pudding into a vegan one. In this recipe, suet is left out completely, while butter is replaced with dairy-free margarine. The rest of the ingredients are much the same as a classic pud, making this a great crowd-pleaser that caters for everyone.

Vegan Christmas pudding recipe

5. Free-from Christmas pudding

Our cranberry, maple and pecan pudding is dairy-, wheat- and gluten-free. The finished result is traditionally spicy and fruity, but less rich than standard Christmas puddings. It’s given real vibrancy and zing with a fresh cranberry topping sweetened with maple syrup.

Cranberry, maple & pecan free-from pudding recipe

6. Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding

Two bowl of Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding on a wooden table

It’s conventional to add a nip of spirit to your pudding, be that brandy, liqueur or whisky. This deep, dark recipe uses Guinness instead – it imparts a slightly tangy, malty flavour to the mix. Stem ginger adds pockets of sweet spiciness, while black treacle contributes body and intensity. This one can be left to mature for up to a year.

Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding recipe

7. Mix & match mini Christmas puddings

A mini Christmas pudding on a white decorative plate with a silver fork

If you’re the sort of host that caters to your guests’ every whim, these individual Christmas puddings will appeal. They can be customised with a choice of fruit, spice and booze (or orange juice for non-drinkers) and they’re made in miniature pudding basins so everyone has their very own bespoke pud.

Mix & match mini Christmas puddings recipe

8. Brandy pudding

Brandy pudding topped with a holly sprig

People who find traditional Christmas pudding too heavy may prefer a slightly lighter version that has a less intense texture and flavour. This brandy pudding recipe includes pecans, candied peel, stem ginger and glacé cherries, and is served with a beautiful butterscotch sauce.

Brandy pudding recipe

9. Cherry & pecan Christmas pudding

Cherry pecan Christmas pudding on a white cake stand with red baubles on the side

Morello cherries take centre stage in this extra-fruity version of Christmas pudding. A splash of amaretto brings out the flavour of the blanched almonds, while halved pecan nuts add chunkiness to the texture.

Cherry & pecan Christmas pudding recipe

10. Blitz-and-bake sticky toffee Christmas pud

Blitz-&-bake sticky toffee Christmas pud on a clear cake stand

Part sticky toffee pudding, part carrot cake and part Christmas pud, this dessert is not only a universally appealing alternative to classic puddings, it’s also really easy to put together. Just use a food processor to blitz up the carrot and apple, then add the rest of the ingredients. It’s baked rather than boiled, then served with a walnut toffee sauce and praline shards.

Blitz-and-bake sticky toffee Christmas pud recipe

11. Chocolate & cherry Christmas pudding

Chocolate Christmas pudding topped with chocolate sauce and berries

Tempt Christmas pudding dodgers to put aside their preconceptions and give this cocoa-flavoured pud a bash. It’s made with sweet cherries and dark chocolate as well are more traditional spices and raisins. Serve with a rich chocolate-brandy sauce – who would say no?

Chocolate & cherry Christmas pudding recipe

12. Sticky orange & marsala pudding

Sticky orange & marsala pudding topped with a holly sprig

The impressive finished effect of this Christmas pudding belies the fact it takes just 12 minutes to cook in the microwave. It’s made with breadcrumbs, dried fruit, spice and booze like a classic Christmas pudding, but self-raising flour and eggs make it lighter, like a traditional sponge basin pud.

Sticky orange & marsala pudding recipe

13. Slow cooker Christmas pudding

Get ready for Christmas with this rich and sticky pud laden with fruits, nuts and spices. This slow cooker version takes the stress out of steaming, plus it’s a great way of getting more use out of your slow cooker during the festive period.

Slow cooker Christmas pudding

14. Christmas sticky toffee pudding

Switch up your traditional Christmas pudding with this sticky toffee version. It’s a great modern twist on the classic festive dessert, and you can make the pudding up to a week in advance.

Christmas sticky toffee pudding

15. Gluten-free Christmas pudding

Make a gluten-free version of Christmas pudding for a dessert that’s packed with festive spices and fruit. It substitutes plain flour for gluten-free flour and also features gluten-free baking powder.

Gluten-free Christmas pudding

Brandy butter in a white bowl with silver spoon

What to serve with Christmas pudding

For some, a liberal glug of cold cream is all that’s needed, but others prefer brandy butter. Try our classic version spiked with vanilla, or mix things up with brandy butter ice cream. If a boozy accompaniment isn’t for you, go back to basics and smother it in homemade custard.

Cheesecake topped with orange wheels and with a slice cut out

How to use up leftover Christmas pudding

Give surplus pudding a new lease of life in one of our genius leftover Christmas pudding recipes. Whether you fancy serving up Christmas pudding strudel, an iced mousse, impressive soufflés or epic cheesecake, we have the recipe for you.