9 of our best steamed pudding recipes

Thea Everett

Deputy editor (audiences) Thea loves to be in the kitchen and has a particular interest in cooking on a budget and deep frying. She thinks Sri Lankan and Indian food is the food of the gods. She looks after the brand’s social channels and newsletter – and contributes features and recipes.

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Steamed puddings: they’re easy to make, often require few ingredients, and are guaranteed to return a moist crumb. It’s a wonder steamed puddings aren’t on a weekly rotation in the winter months. Let’s change that…

So, here we are, to sing the praises of the traditional steamed pud. As we long for the comfort foods of childhood, they really are making a bit of a comeback. From the old-school Sussex pond pudding re-popularised by The Great British Bake Off to individual mini clementine puddings and a steamed marmalade number that would have Paddington Bear smiling from ear to ear – these are our top picks for a hot winter pud.

How to make a steamed pudding

The basics
A pudding can be steamed either in an oven, tightly wrapped and sitting in a bath of boiling water, or the old fashioned way – on the hob. To steam on the hob, first cover the prepared mixture in its pudding basin with a disc of baking paper. Butter a large piece of foil, then lay a large piece of baking paper on top. Fold a pleat in the middle (to allow the pudding to expand) and place, baking paper-side down, on the pudding. Secure under the rim of the basin with string.

You can also then thread another piece of string on either side of the basin and tie in place to make a handle, which helps when removing the pudding from its pot. Place an upturned saucer in a large pan and place the pudding on top. Fill with boiling water so it comes halfway up the sides of the basin, then cover and bring back to the boil. Simmer for the allotted time, topping up with more boiling water if necessary.

The cheat
Some speedy puddings can steam in a microwave; see the sticky toffee pudding recipe below. For large puddings, cover the basin with cling film, pierce a few times with a fork, then microwave on medium-high for 4-6 minutes – check that it’s cooked with a cocktail stick. Leave to rest for 2 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate.

9 best-ever steamed pudding recipes

Marmalade steamed pudding

This classic marmalade pudding recipe uses breadcrumbs, making thrifty use of any stale bread. The marmalade makes for a sweet and zesty dessert that goes especially well with cream.

Sticky clementine steamed puddings

Prepped in all of 15 minutes, and boasting a sticky sharp-sweet sauce, these mini-puds are as gorgeous to eat as they are to look at. And what’s more, the recipe can be easily adjusted to make one big pudding if you don’t have dariole moulds to hand. Trust us, these are a winner.

Rhubarb pudding

Rhubarb makes for a divine steamed pudding: the fruit forms a beautiful pink topping while its juices seep into the pudding itself. While this dessert may take a while to cook, the results are worth it.

Sussex pond pudding

You may remember this recipe cropping up on a previous series of The Great British Bake Off. Made with a crusty steamed suet pastry which encases a whole lemon, plus butter and sugar, Sussex pong pudding is a classic for a reason. The lemon almost candies in the sugar and, once cut into, the juices spill out and form a pond around the pudding (hence the name). It’s a thrifty dessert too, requiring just six ingredients.

Healthier sponge pudding

This lighter sponge is made with yogurt instead of butter so it’s lower in calories and fat than a traditional recipe. We also switched out some of the syrup for agave nectar, which is sweeter than sugar (so you need less of it).

Blood orange sponge pudding

An orange zest-infused sponge batter is poured onto a heavenly combination of Campari, gin, pomegranate seeds and golden syrup. Steam (or pop in the microwave) before turning out, topping with juicy blood oranges and sweet-sharp sticky syrup – perfect with hot velvety custard.

Traditional steamed puddings are making a bit of a comeback as we long for the comfort foods of childhood.

Baked lemon curd syrup sponges

These dainty sponges get the grown-up treatment with a slug of brandy, a citrussy syrup and a boozy custard. They makes an impressive dessert for a celebration, and the welcome splash of orange and lemon zest hits just the right spot after dinner.

Sticky toffee steamed pudding

Steamed puddings are quick and easy to make in the microwave, and this sticky toffee pudding recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare: it’s really a no brainer!

Blackberry and thyme steamed puddings with bay custard

These blackberry and lemon thyme steamed puddings from food writer Olia Hercules are baked in ramekins in the oven in a roasting tray of water, rather than on the hob, to create the steamed affect. This means they cook in a mere 15-20 minutes, but lose none of their moist fruitiness.