Yesterday was a beautiful, snowy day here in New York, so I decided to take a walk while listening to Christmas music. When the classic “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” came on, I couldn’t help but sing along in my head, enjoying the moment and taking in the falling flakes. However, I practically stopped in my tracks when the song started repeating the line “now bring us some figgy pudding” because I couldn’t help but wonder: what even is figgy pudding? I also realized I’ve never actually seen the dessert in my own life at Christmas gatherings, and after being unable to shake my own curiosity, I went on a deep dive to research “figgy pudding” to put an end to my wondering.
What is figgy pudding?
Contrary to popular belief, figgy pudding isn’t very pudding-like at all. Its texture is more similar to a dense cake, and it’s often described as rich and moist. The pudding is very fruity and its taste would be most similar to fruitcake, although figgy pudding is typically spicier. The intense flavor is usually balanced out with some sort of frosting-like mixture of butter, sugar, and brandy or rum. The English dessert is commonly made for holidays or big gatherings, and actually has more lore than just being sung in a famous carol.
Where did figgy pudding originate?
Originating in medieval England, figgy pudding was actually first served as a thick and meaty dish, but it later evolved into the sweetened, fruity cake we sing about at Christmastime. The “fig” in figgy pudding actually came from the Victorian era because people referred to any dried fruit / raisin as figs or plums at that time. Even if that wasn’t actually what figgy pudding was made of, recipes of the modern day now include figs in the mixture of dried fruits that goes into the cake.
What is figgy pudding made of?
Figgy pudding can easily be created today, and recipe outlets like NYT Cooking, Food.com, and The Kitchn all have created their own spin on the dessert. Its main batter contains flour, butter, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. However, the key ingredient is obviously dried fruit, which can be a mix of raisins, currants, sultanas, and figs like mentioned above. The mixture is also soaked in a dark liquor like brandy or rum to preserve its flavor.
Why is figgy pudding associated with Christmas?
Figgy pudding has almost always been associated with gatherings, whether that’s for the holidays or not. Medieval families traditionally would make the pudding five weeks before Christmas, and each contributor would take a chance stirring the mixture to create good luck for the new year. On actual Christmas, the pudding is finally unmolded and often has a big reveal, and the family will decorate it with holly, pour more warm brandy on top, and set the pudding on fire to serve.