As English winters settle in with cooler temperatures and shorter days, there are few things more wonderful than a warm dessert fresh from the oven. Memories of golden syrup and warm, rich, layered English winter puddings bring comfort at all times. These warm desserts are the very best company on a cold winter’s night, especially when enjoyed with tea. Here are five English desserts to keep winter evenings and moments warm and cozy.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky toffee pudding is a British pudding, which is a classic dessert made with dates, flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. Each pudding is smothered with warm, buttery toffee and is so heavenly made with oh-so-natural, cozy, winter sugars. For a complete dessert, serve with warm vanilla custard or clotted cream. Once it’s cold, custard is a must! During winter, the comforting, warm pudding is the best company for cold nights with its oh-so-warming heavenly toffee.
Bread and Butter Pudding
This classic pudding uses very basic pantry staples—slices of buttered bread, milk, eggs and raisins. The ingredients are layered, soaked in custard, and then baked beautifully. This simple recipe works wonderfully with leftover bread and results in a pudding, which is nourishing and budget-friendly. The baked custard base brings warmth and comfort and is perfect for chilly evenings. Allergens: eggs, dairy, and gluten. Adding a little nutmeg with cinnamon brings a little more spice to the pudding and makes it more festive.
Spotted Dick
This is one of the oldest traditional English puddings. Spotted dick is made with a combination of suet, flour, sugar and dried fruits like raisins or currants. It is steamed and becomes fluffy and light and pairs nicely with custard. The name comes from the “spots” of fruit that are embedded in the dough. This pudding was very popular in Victorian households; it is very energy dense. Allergens: dairy, gluten and suet. Today we use vegetarian suet to meet modern dietary needs.
Apple Crumble
Another modern British favorite. Apple crumble consists of layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced, and then pillowy, spiced apple filling, all topped beneath a crisp topping of buttery crumble. This pudding is also very simply made and, of course, like all recipes, can also be adapted with oats or nuts for added crunch. Was my friend the apple and its winter season? Was my friend the apple and added? Of course, for winter, one of the healthiest British puddings is apple crumble. Warm with custard, cream, or ice cream, the apple crumble is one of the most comforting British puddings served during winter. Allergens: Gluten, Dairy, and sometimes Nuts (if added to topping).
Christmas Pudding
Every major British winter dessert is not complete without Christmas pudding. This is a rest seasonal and celebrated British dessert with a festiveness attached to it. Christmas pudding is a steamed pudding made with suet, breadcrumbs, dried fruits, spices, and a splash of brandy or rum, it is the most prized British dessert made and served during the winter fest—Christmas. It is made to also age for a few weeks like the apple crumble and develop rich and spicy flavors complete with the warm holiday. Allergens: Gluten, Dairy, and sometimes Nuts.
Conclusion
The toffee syrup-soaked sticky pudding and the fruity, warming Christmas pudding are examples of English winter desserts that are more than just sweet treats. They’re pieces of Britain’s history. These desserts are perfect for any winter dinner or to get you on a cold winter night. These puddings will always remind you of the wonderful, warm times.
