Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding: A Dickensian Christmas Classic

Few desserts capture the warmth, nostalgia, and festive spirit of the holiday season quite like Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding. Immortalized in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this traditional English dessert is rich, comforting, and steeped in history — a symbol of love, generosity, and family togetherness.

With its warm spices, dried fruits, and a hint of brandy, plum pudding is the epitome of Christmas indulgence. Whether you’re recreating a Victorian feast or just looking for a classic dessert to crown your holiday table, this pudding is a timeless choice that fills your kitchen with the comforting aroma of the holidays.

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🎄 The Story Behind Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding

In A Christmas Carol, Dickens paints a touching scene of the Cratchit family gathered around their modest Christmas table. When Mrs. Cratchit proudly brings out the plum pudding, it’s described as “a wonderful pudding, like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quartern of ignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly on the top.”

For the humble Cratchit family — and for the beloved Tiny Tim — the plum pudding represents joy, hope, and gratitude, even in the face of hardship.

Today, making Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding is a way to keep that same spirit alive — celebrating family, warmth, and the simple pleasure of sharing something homemade and heartfelt.

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🍇 What Is Plum Pudding?

Despite its name, plum pudding doesn’t actually contain plums. The term “plum” in the 18th and 19th centuries referred to any kind of dried fruit, particularly raisins and currants.

It’s a steamed or boiled dessert, traditionally made with:

• Dried fruits and spices,
• Beef suet or butter,
• Breadcrumbs and flour,
• Dark sugar, and
• A generous splash of brandy or rum.

Once steamed, the pudding becomes dense, rich, and moist — a true comfort dessert that’s served with warm brandy sauce, custard, or whipped cream.

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🕯️ Why You’ll Love Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding

• 🍷 Rich and Festive Flavor: Packed with dried fruit, spices, and brandy for that unmistakable Christmas taste.
• 🎁 Perfect for Gifting: Traditional puddings can be made weeks ahead and gifted beautifully wrapped.
• ⏳ Improves with Age: The flavors deepen as it rests — the longer it matures, the better it tastes.
• 🎅 Authentically Victorian: Brings a taste of Dickens’ London right to your table.

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🧈 Ingredients for Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding

You’ll need classic ingredients that build depth, warmth, and richness:

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup breadcrumbs (fresh, not dry)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon allspice

Fruits & Nuts

• 1½ cups raisins
• 1 cup currants
• ½ cup chopped dates or figs
• ½ cup chopped candied peel (orange or lemon)
• ½ cup chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup melted butter or suet
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup dark molasses or treacle
• ½ cup brandy or dark rum
• ½ cup milk
• 1 grated apple or carrot (adds moisture and sweetness)
• Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange

For Serving

• Brandy or rum (for flaming)
• Brandy butter, custard, or whipped cream

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🥄 How to Make Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

In a large bowl, combine raisins, currants, chopped dates, and candied peel. Pour in the brandy (or rum), toss well, and let sit overnight or at least 2–3 hours to soak. This step plumps the fruit and infuses it with flavor.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together breadcrumbs, flour, brown sugar, salt, and spices.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, molasses, milk, and citrus zest. Add the grated apple or carrot for natural moisture.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir until combined, then fold in the soaked fruit (and any remaining brandy). Add nuts if using.

Step 5: Fill the Pudding Basin

Grease a 2-pint pudding basin or large heatproof bowl. Spoon in the mixture, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top for expansion.

Cover with a layer of parchment paper and then foil, securing tightly with string.

Step 6: Steam the Pudding

Place the basin in a large pot or steamer. Add boiling water halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover the pot and steam gently for 5–6 hours, checking periodically to add more hot water if needed.

Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker for about 2 hours.

Step 7: Cool and Mature

Once cooked, let the pudding cool completely. Remove the coverings, replace them with fresh parchment and foil, and store in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks to mature (optional but recommended).

Step 8: Reheat and Serve

On Christmas Day, reheat the pudding by steaming it for 1–2 hours until warmed through.

To serve it in traditional style, pour warm brandy over the top, carefully ignite it, and bring it to the table “flaming” — just like Mrs. Cratchit did for Tiny Tim.

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🍮 Serving Suggestions

Serve your Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding with one of these classic accompaniments:

• Brandy Butter: A creamy, boozy butter made from sugar, butter, and brandy.
• Warm Custard: Silky vanilla custard balances the richness beautifully.
• Whipped Cream: Light and airy for a modern touch.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds sweetness and shine.

Garnish with a sprig of holly, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of golden syrup for a picture-perfect presentation.

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🌟 Tips for the Perfect Plum Pudding

1. Soak the fruit early: The longer the fruit soaks, the richer the flavor.
2. Don’t skip the resting period: Maturing the pudding deepens its taste.
3. Steam gently: Keep the water simmering, not boiling, to avoid toughness.
4. Use fresh spices: Old spices can make the pudding taste dull.
5. Make it ahead: Traditional plum puddings are often made up to 6 weeks before Christmas.

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🕰️ Storage Instructions

To Store:
Wrap the cooled pudding tightly in parchment and foil. Keep it in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months.

To Freeze:
Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

To Reheat:
Steam again for 1–2 hours or microwave individual slices with a splash of brandy butter.

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🎁 A Taste of Christmas Past

Making Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding is more than just baking a dessert — it’s about connecting with history and tradition. Each spoonful tells a story of joy, gratitude, and the enduring power of family togetherness.

As the pudding steams and fills your home with festive aromas, you’ll understand why Dickens’ characters celebrated it with such pride and delight. This is the kind of dessert that brings people closer, wrapped in warmth and nostalgia — a true Christmas miracle, just like Tiny Tim himself.

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✨ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make plum pudding without alcohol?
A: Yes! Replace the brandy with orange juice or strong black tea for a non-alcoholic version.

Q: What can I use instead of suet?
A: Butter or vegetable shortening works perfectly as a modern alternative.

Q: How long should I mature the pudding?
A: Ideally 2–4 weeks, but even a few days of resting will enhance the flavor.

Q: How do I safely flame the pudding?
A: Warm the brandy slightly, pour it over the pudding, then ignite carefully with a long match just before serving.

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🎅 Final Thoughts

Tiny Tim’s Plum Pudding is more than a dessert — it’s a holiday tradition filled with heart and history. Each bite carries the essence of Christmas: warmth, family, and cheer. Whether you’re a Dickens fan or simply love classic holiday baking, this pudding is a celebration of everything that makes the season magical.

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