Figgy Pudding

4.6
(33)

Figgy pudding is dense and moist — a perfect finale to your Christmas dinner. Though traditionally steamed or boiled, this figgy pudding recipe is baked in a fluted tube pan. Orange zest, orange marmalade, and orange flavoring add fruity flavor to every bite. Drizzle a sweetened glaze over the cake before slicing, or add a dollop of whipped cream to each piece.

Side angle closeup of a figgy pudding with a slice cut out, served on a plate
16
16
16
16
16

Never had figgy pudding? This is your year. The sweet treat is a deliciously traditional way to make the most of the holiday season. This festive recipe will have everyone demanding "now bring us some figgy pudding!"

High angle shot of a figgy pudding with a slice cut out, served on a plate

Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

What Is Figgy Pudding?

The British and American definitions of "pudding" are quite different. If you're from the U.S., you probably associate the word with a sweet, creamy, unformed dessert. People from the U.K, however, will likely think of a sweet or savory dish that may contain meat or animal fat.

There are plenty of variations of figgy pudding out there and they all involve fresh or dried figs.

Traditional versions of figgy pudding are steamed or boiled, but many modern recipes (including this one) are baked.

Figgy Pudding

What Is Figgy Pudding Made Of?

Traditional figgy pudding is a holiday dish made with flour, suet (a type of hard animal fat), figs, and other dried fruits. Some more modern versions, like this one, are made without suet. Here's what you'll need for this top-rated figgy pudding recipe:

  • Buttermilk
  • Dried figs
  • Whole-wheat flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Spices and seasonings (cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt)
  • Eggs
  • Bread crumbs
  • Butter
  • Almonds
  • Orange marmalade
  • Orange zest
  • Orange-vanilla flavoring

Cook’s Note

Fiori di Sicilia is a floral orange flavoring used in Italian pandoro. Although not absolutely necessary for this recipe, I thought it added an exotic flavor to the dessert.

How to Make Figgy Pudding

Figgy pudding might sound fancy, but it's actually quite easy to make. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this figgy pudding recipe:

  1. Heat the figs and buttermilk on the stove until the figs are soft.
  2. Sift the dry ingredients together.
  3. Beat the eggs, then stir in the cooled buttermilk mixture and the remaining ingredients.
  4. Gradually mix the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Stir until incorporated.
  5. Spoon the batter into a prepared tube pan.
  6. Bake until firm.
  7. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then finish cooling on a wire rack.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I followed the recipe exactly," says Karen Norris. "My family loved it. I flavored the heavy whipped cream with amaretto. This will definitely be a Christmas tradition from now on!"

"I will make it again at Christmas time," according to Wagner Teresa. "We did a test run yesterday and it was lovely. I made a brown sugar/butter/cream sauce to pour over a slice and it was a perfect match. A big glass of cold milk and you can not go wrong."

"So good," raves Catb. "Couldn't find orange oil so I just added more marmalade. Was devoured on Christmas Day, will definitely make it again and likely before Christmas!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Figgy Pudding

(33)
Side angle closeup of a figgy pudding with a slice cut out, served on a plate
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 50 mins
Servings:
14

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk

  • 12 ounces dried Calimyrna figs, coarsely chopped

  • 1 ½ cups white whole-wheat flour (such as King Arthur)

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 ½ cups dry bread crumbs

  • ½ cup butter, melted

  • 1 (2.45 ounce) package sliced almonds

  • 3 tablespoons orange marmalade

  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

  • ½ teaspoon orange-vanilla flavoring, such as Fiori di Sicilia (Optional)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Overhead shot of measured ingredients gathered for figgy pudding

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  2. Gently heat buttermilk and figs in a saucepan over medium-low heat until softened, 10 to 15 minutes; set aside until cool.

    Overhead closeup of a pan with figs and milk cooking for figgy pudding

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a tube pan. Grease one side of a sheet of aluminum foil.

    Overhead shot of a tube pan being greased

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  4. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt together into a bowl.

    Overhead view of a mixing bowl with dry ingredients for figgy pudding

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  5. Beat eggs in a separate, large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed for 1 minute. Add the cooled fig and buttermilk mixture, bread crumbs, melted butter, almonds, orange marmalade, orange zest, and orange-vanilla flavoring; beat on low speed until blended.

    Overhead closeup of a mixing bowl with figgy pudding batter being mixed with electric beaters

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  6. Gradually mix in the sifted flour mixture until just incorporated.

    Overhead shot of dry ingredients being incorporated into wet ingredients for figgy pudding

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  7. Spoon batter into the prepared pan and cover with the greased foil.

    Overhead view of figgy pudding mixture being spooned into a tube pan

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  8. Bake in the preheated oven until firm and pulling away from sides of the pan, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours.

    Overhead shot of a tube pan of figgy pudding that was just baked

    Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

  9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

317 Calories
11g Fat
54g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 14
Calories 317
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 13%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 395mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 54g 19%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 163mg 13%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 336mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

You’ll Also Love