15 of the best Christmas pudding recipes

A Christmas pudding recipe is actually easy to make. And although you can buy some wonderful Christmas puddings, readymade, from the supermarket, making your own from scratch, in the weeks before Christmas Day, is a wonderful yearly ritual.

It’s as simple as making a Christmas cake and because it’s smaller there are less ingredients to prep and you can make it in a regular sized mixing bowl.

We have many Christmas pudding recipes developed and perfected by our cookery team over the years and these are our favourites.

If you prefer a twist on a classic Christmas pud then we recommend our Bucks Fizz Christmas pudding inspired by the classic cocktail of the same name. You can use cava, prosecco or even champagne (if you’re really celebrating).

We also love our version of the hidden orange Christmas pudding. Made with Cointreau, the orange in the middle adds flavour and wow factor.

For an absolute classic this rum and plum Christmas pudding is wonderfully sticky and the rum adds a boozy richness.

For advice on how to steam a Christmas pudding follow our expert guide which also covers the all important method of lighting a Christmas pudding.

Stir-Up Sunday, the day set aside to make Christmas puddings and Christmas cakes (the last Sunday before advent), is on 20 November this year (2022).

However, if you are short on time there is an easy Christmas pudding recipe you can make on the big day itself that tastes just as good. The secret is letting the microwave do the hard work.

A zesty Christmas pudding recipe with added richness from the chocolatey twist. Swap the dark chocolate for milk if you prefer a sweeter pudding.

Recipe: Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding

A fruity twist on the classic Christmas pudding. Serve with cream or boozy custard, if you like.

Recipe: Apple and Calvados Christmas Pudding recipe

This light but luxurious Christmas pudding recipe celebrates the classic Champagne cocktail. Orange slices are an easy way to decorate it, and they add wonderful flavour. Make it sparkle with a little edible gold glitter – it is Christmas, after all! Soak the fruits the night before you plan to cook the pudding.

Recipe: Buck's Fizz Christmas pudding recipe

A candied whole orange as a surprise centre gives this Christmas pudding real wow factor. Use any leftover orange sugar syrup in festive cocktails or hot chocolate.

Recipe: Hidden orange pudding recipe

This Christmas pudding is a glorious beauty crowned with pecans and glacé cherries. It's guaranteed to impress at the end of your festive lunch or dinner.

Recipe: Crowned pecan Christmas pudding recipe

A classic Christmas pudding recipe, this boozy pudding contains prunes which give a delicious sticky texture.

Recipe: Rum 'n' Plum Christmas pudding recipe

This fruity Christmas pudding recipe contains apple juice and brandy.

Recipe: Christmas pudding recipe

When you don't have time to mature your pudding, this is the recipe you need. It's last-minute and an easy Christmas pudding recipe.

Recipe: Last-minute Christmas pudding recipe

A modern twist on the classic Christmas pudding, this version has the addition of dried sour cherries, strawberries and blueberries.

Recipe: Very berry Christmas pudding recipe

An easy Christmas pudding recipe. Maybe our easiest. Cooked in minutes, the microwave does all the work in this super quick and simple pudding. So simple you can make it on the day itself.

Recipe: Quick Christmas pudding recipe

The rich flavours of fig, pear and brazil nuts give this traditional Christmas pudding an interesting twist, while cranberries and orange provide a zesty kick.

Recipe: Fig, orange and cranberry Christmas pudding recipe

A touch of Guinness and chocolate add a rich dark flavour to this Christmas pudding recipe.

Recipe: Dark and fruity Christmas pudding recipe

With its golden crown of succulent pears, this juicy Christmas pudding is sure to finish the feast on a high note.

Recipe: Pear and ginger pudding recipe

You can’t go wrong with this delicious Christmas pudding recipe. Make this one on Stir-Up Sunday on the 21st November.

Recipe: Stir up Sunday Christmas Pudding recipe

Decadent, tender and perfectly spiced, this is the Christmas Pudding recipe to print out and keep forever.

Recipe: Classic Christmas pudding recipe