National Plum Pudding Day

National Plum Pudding Day is celebrated on February 12. This day honors a dense, steamed dessert that has been a staple of British and American culinary traditions for hundreds of years. Despite its name, the dish rarely contains actual plums, as the term historically referred to raisins and other dried fruits during the 17th century.

History of National Plum Pudding Day

The origins of this dish trace back to medieval England, where it began as a savory meat-based porridge known as plum pottage. Over time, the recipe evolved to include more dried fruits and sugar, eventually losing its meaty elements and becoming a sweet, solid pudding by the early 18th century. One of the earliest recorded recipes appeared in Mary Kettilby’s 1714 book, A Collection of above Three Hundred Receipts in Cookery, Physick and Surgery. By the Victorian era, the dessert was firmly established as the traditional finale to a Christmas meal, popularized further by its inclusion in Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol.

National Plum Pudding Day was created as a specific time to appreciate this dessert outside of its traditional December window. Because authentic plum puddings are often made weeks or months in advance to allow the flavors to mature, February 12 serves as an ideal time to enjoy any puddings that were preserved from the holiday season. In some historical contexts, the pudding was even used as a symbol of national identity and British imperial power, often depicted in political cartoons to represent the globe.

Why is National Plum Pudding Day important?

This day is significant because it preserves a complex culinary method that is slowly disappearing from modern kitchens. Making a traditional plum pudding requires steaming or boiling for several hours, a process that reflects the patience and labor of historical cooking. The holiday encourages people to explore these old-fashioned techniques and prevents the specific cultural rituals associated with the dish from being forgotten.

The observance also highlights the fascinating linguistic history of food. By acknowledging that “plum” once meant raisins or currants, the day serves as a practical lesson in how language and recipes shift over centuries. It provides a unique opportunity to sample a dish that combines a variety of spices, suet, and citrus, offering a flavor profile that is distinct from modern cakes and pastries.

• It celebrates the historical transition from savory pottage to sweet dessert.
• The day promotes the use of traditional steaming and boiling techniques.
• It highlights the historical meaning of the word plum as dried fruit.
• People use the date to enjoy well-aged puddings from the previous year.
• It honors the literary legacy of authors like Charles Dickens and Eliza Acton.

How to Celebrate National Plum Pudding Day

One of the most authentic ways to celebrate is by preparing a pudding from scratch using a historic recipe. This often involves a “communal stir,” where every family member takes a turn mixing the batter from east to west while making a secret wish. If a homemade version is too time-consuming, many specialty food shops sell imported British puddings that can be easily reheated. The dish is traditionally served with a hard sauce made of butter and sugar, or a warm brandy sauce.

For a more dramatic presentation, the pudding can be doused in a small amount of warm brandy and carefully set alight before being brought to the table. This “flaming” of the pudding is a classic tradition that adds a festive touch to the meal. Those who prefer a simpler approach can host a tasting party, comparing different versions of the dessert with friends. Sharing slices with neighbors is another way to spread the tradition and introduce others to this dense, fruit-filled treat.

• Bake or steam a traditional pudding using suet and mixed spices.
• Invite family members to participate in the traditional communal stirring.
• Serve the dessert with a side of brandy butter or custard.
• Light a small amount of brandy on top for a traditional flaming finish.
• Read the description of the Cratchit family dinner in A Christmas Carol.

National Plum Pudding Day Dates Table