Christmas Pudding, But Not As You Know it!

Experience Christmas Pudding like never before! Enjoy the classic festive flavours of Christmas Pudding with a unique twist – Transformed into an indulgent Homemade Ice Cream.

Christmas Pudding, a timeless icon of festive feasts, has earned its place at holiday tables for generations. Christmas pudding is more than just a dessert; it’s a centrepiece of Christmas festivities, steeped in tradition and nostalgia.

In this article, we’ll detail the rich history and deliciously familiar flavour profiles of this classic dessert. And of course, there’s a surprise in store too – transforming the beloved Christmas Pudding into a luscious Homemade Ice Cream. We’ve also provided a recipe and method to make your own Brandy Butter too.

It’s a festive fusion that promises to elevate your holiday celebrations to a whole new level of sweetness.

If you’d prefer to skip straight to the recipe and method, you can scroll to the bottom of the article, or read along to learn more about this classic festive dessert.

Jump to Homemade Christmas Pudding Ice Cream Recipe
Jump to Brandy Butter Recipe

Unwrapping the Tradition: What Exactly is Christmas Pudding?

Christmas Pudding, also known as plum pudding, is a rich and indulgent dessert steeped in centuries-old tradition. Originating in medieval England, this festive dessert has become a cornerstone of Christmas celebrations.

The pudding is a heady mix of suet, flour, breadcrumbs, sugar, and a vast selection of festive spices. Dried fruits like raisins and currants are integral, providing sweetness and chewy texture.

What makes Christmas Pudding truly unique is the inclusion of treacle or molasses, giving it a deep, dark hue. The mixture is often enhanced with brandy or other spirits, infusing the dessert with a subtle warmth.

Once mixed, the pudding is traditionally steamed or boiled, allowing the flavours to meld into a dense, moist, and aromatic treat.

Its preparation often involves a wish-making ritual, making it not just a dessert but a cherished tradition that captures the spirit of Christmas. Also, it was once a tradition to include a silver coin in the pudding mix. Finding the coin in your serving was considered a sign of good luck, wealth, and prosperity.

Many recipes call for the addition of alcohol, such as dark beer or stout, brandy, or dark rum. The alcohol not only adds flavour but also helps preserve the pudding.

Christmas puddings are often made well in advance of the holiday season, allowing the flavours to age and for the pudding to mature and develop complex flavours. Some people are known to prepare theirs a year in advance!

On Christmas Day, the pudding is often served warm and flambéed with brandy or another spirit just before serving. This adds a dramatic touch to the festive presentation.

Served with a dollop of brandy butter or a cascade of creamy custard, Christmas Pudding is the quintessential finale to a festive feast.

While the traditional Christmas pudding is favoured, there are variations and modern twists that incorporate different ingredients like chocolate, nuts, or spices.

Traditional Transformations: Pudding Up a Cool Twist!

Some may say it’s a classic for a reason, and as such it should be left in its current format.

However, turning a classic Christmas pudding into ice cream is like adding a sprinkle of fun to the holiday dessert table. Something different, exciting and certainly coolly delicious.

It’s a playful rendition of a classic that will have everyone wanting more!

Here are some ideas on how you might approach the transformation of traditional classic to cool sensation:

• Flavours and Spices:
  Capture the essence of Christmas pudding by infusing the ice cream base with the traditional spices found in the pudding, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Consider adding a hint of vanilla and citrus zest for depth.
• Fruit Medley:
  Mimic the dried fruit component of Christmas pudding by incorporating a medley of soaked currants, raisins, and sultanas into the ice cream. Soaking them in brandy or another spirit beforehand adds a boozy richness.
• Caramelised Bits:
  Recreate the caramelised and dense texture of the pudding by incorporating bits of caramel or toffee into the ice cream. These sugary pockets will add a textural crunch reminiscent of the pudding.
• Alcohol Infusion:
  Stay true to the Christmas pudding tradition by infusing the ice cream with a touch of alcohol. Brandy, dark rum, or even a festive liqueur can be added to enhance the flavours and provide a nod to the original dessert.
• Swirls of Goodness:
  Consider incorporating swirls of brandy butter or a spiced caramel sauce into the ice cream. These additions will not only enhance the flavour but also add visual interest.
• Festive Mix-ins:
  Experiment with mix-ins that evoke the festive spirit, such as bits of gingerbread, candied orange peel, or even small pieces of Christmas cake.
• Flambéed Finish (Optional):
  For a dramatic presentation, you can offer a flambéed finish similar to the traditional Christmas pudding. A quick flambé with brandy before serving adds a touch of spectacle to the ice cream experience.
• Serve with Accompaniments:
  Just like Christmas pudding is often accompanied by brandy butter or custard, you can consider serving your Christmas pudding ice cream with a drizzle of warm sauce, perhaps with a splash of brandy.

By carefully selecting ingredients and infusing the ice cream with the distinctive flavours of Christmas pudding, you can create a frozen treat that pays homage to the much-loved holiday dessert while offering a refreshing and unexpected twist.

And with the above ideas and suggestions in mind, let’s make our Christmas Pudding-inspired Homemade Ice Cream.

Homemade Christmas Pudding Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 500g Christmas Pudding
• 600ml double cream
• 400ml whole milk
• 150g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 50ml brandy (optional)
• Chopped nuts and dried fruits for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare Christmas Pudding:
   • Crumble the Christmas Pudding into small, bite-sized pieces.
2. Make Ice Cream Base:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the double cream, whole milk, caster sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
   • Whisk the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
3. Blend the Mix:
   • If using brandy, add it to the mix.
   • Use a blender to combine the ice cream base with the crumbled Christmas Pudding. Blend until you achieve a smooth consistency.
4. Chill the Mixture:
   • Transfer the mixture to a container with a lid.
   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Churn the Ice Cream:
   • Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker.
   • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to churn it into ice cream.
     • NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker to learn more.
6. Add Garnish:
   • During the last few minutes of churning, add chopped nuts and dried fruits for an extra festive touch.
7. Freeze:
   • Transfer the churned ice cream into a lidded container.
   • Freeze for a few hours or until firm.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Scoop the Christmas Pudding Ice Cream into bowls or cones.
   • Garnish with additional nuts and dried fruits if desired.
9. Share the Festive Joy:
   • Share this delicious Homemade Christmas Pudding Ice Cream with your friends and family, and savour the festive flavours in every spoonful!

Feel free to adjust the brandy quantity based on your preference, and enjoy the delicious fusion of Christmas Pudding in ice cream form!

As an additional finishing touch, you might want to accompany your Christmas Pudding Ice Cream with a Custard or Brandy Butter to add that extra decadence.

Here’s our recipe for Brandy Butter:

Brandy Butter Recipe

Ingredients:

• 125g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 250g (2 cups) icing sugar, sifted
• 3 tbsp brandy

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, beating continuously until well combined.
3. Slowly incorporate the brandy into the mixture, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Adjust the amount of brandy to taste.
4. Continue to beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
5. Transfer the brandy butter to a serving dish or shape it into a log using cling film. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.

Serve this delicious brandy butter alongside your Christmas pudding ice cream for an extra touch of festive indulgence!

This recipe is typically a soft and creamy spreadable consistency. If you prefer a thicker or sauce-like consistency, you can adjust the amount of brandy or icing sugar accordingly. Adding more brandy can make it a bit softer while adding more icing sugar can make it thicker. Feel free to tailor it to your desired texture and taste!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article about Homemade Christmas Pudding Ice Cream and we truly hope that we have inspired you to give it a go and create something a little different to make your centrepiece at Christmas Dinner this year. This dessert truly is a showstopper!

If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and of course, we would love to hear from you if you do give this Homemade Christmas Pudding Ice Cream a go.