Quote from Fergus McCarthy on November 15, 2024, 1:00 pm

Reinventing a festive classic Christmas Pudding for younger palates

Christmas pudding is falling out of favour, with six in ten Brits no longer considering it essential to their Christmas table. Recent research by The Royal Mint and Google Trends shows declining interest, with searches for “Christmas pudding recipes” peaking in 2013. But trends expert Nick Drewe believes we can modernise this traditional dessert to win over Gen-Z and Millennials.

Why Gen-Z is ditching Christmas pudding

Changing traditions
Younger generations are redefining how they celebrate Christmas, focusing on personalised experiences over long-standing traditions. Festive classics like Christmas pudding feel outdated to some.

Evolving tastes
Christmas pudding’s dense, rich texture and heavy use of dried fruits and alcohol may not appeal to modern palates, which favour lighter, trendier flavours.

Dietary shifts
Gen-Z is more health-conscious, with many embracing vegan, gluten-free, and lower-sugar diets. Traditional Christmas puddings, often high in sugar and animal suet, don’t meet these preferences.

Rising sobriety
Alcohol consumption is decreasing among Gen-Z. The boozy nature of traditional puddings, flambéed with spirits, can deter those seeking alcohol-free desserts.

Tips to modernise Christmas pudding

1. Simplify the recipe
Swap traditional batter for lighter cake batter. This change makes the dessert easier to prepare and eliminates the risk of stodginess.

2. Go individual
Create single-serving puddings in ramekins. These Instagram-friendly portions appeal to Gen-Z’s sharing culture and add a modern twist.

3. Adapt the ingredients
Replace animal suet with plant-based alternatives for a vegan option. For gluten-free versions, try rice flour or ground almonds.

Creative flavour ideas

Trending twists

• Miso caramel: A salty-sweet upgrade with white miso and caramel swirls.
• Pistachio: Add pistachios and white chocolate chips, finishing with pistachio cream.
• Vanilla coconut: Combine desiccated coconut with vanilla extract, topped with cream cheese frosting.

Globally inspired

• Matcha: Japanese matcha adds health benefits and vibrant green colour.
• Chai spice: Infuse Indian chai flavours like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Ube: This purple yam from the Philippines brings a nutty-sweet flavour and striking colour.

Keeping the festive spirit alive

Christmas pudding holds cultural nostalgia for many. By reimagining the recipe with modern flavours and healthier ingredients, you can create a dessert that honours tradition while delighting younger generations.

For more festive recipes and tips, visit Wethrift.