Best Vegan British Christmas Pudding Recipe to Try Today

Christmas pudding is a beloved British tradition, rich with history and flavor. But if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you might think you have to miss out on this festive treat.

Fear not! This best vegan British Christmas pudding recipe combines the deep, warming spices and luscious dried fruits of the classic pudding — all without any animal products.

It’s moist, dense, and bursting with festive cheer, making it the perfect centerpiece for a cruelty-free holiday celebration.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply looking to try something new this holiday season, this recipe is straightforward and rewarding. It requires no eggs or suet and uses natural binders and plant-based ingredients to achieve that signature pudding texture.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to impress your guests with a traditional dish that everyone can enjoy. Let’s dive into this heartwarming recipe that will surely become a Christmas staple!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan Christmas pudding is a delightful twist on a classic British dessert. It’s:

• Rich and flavorful: Packed with dried fruits, warming spices, and a hint of dark rum for that authentic festive taste.
• Completely plant-based: No eggs, dairy, or suet — just wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully.
• Simple to make ahead: Like traditional puddings, this one benefits from resting, allowing the flavors to deepen and mature before serving.
• Moist and dense texture: Thanks to clever use of flaxseed and breadcrumbs, you get the perfect pudding consistency without animal products.
• Customizable: Easily add your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or spices to tailor it to your tastes.

This vegan take doesn’t compromise on taste or tradition. It’s a festive must-try that brings everyone to the table for a joyous holiday moment.

Ingredients

• 200g mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas, chopped dates)
• 50g chopped dried apricots
• 50g chopped walnuts or pecans
• 100g fresh breadcrumbs
• 100g plain flour
• 50g dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds (mixed with 6 tbsp water to make flax egg)
• 150ml strong black tea (cooled)
• 50ml dark rum (plus extra for flaming)
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp molasses or black treacle
• Pinch of salt

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Steaming basin or pudding mold (around 1.2 liters capacity)
• Large pot with lid for steaming
• Kitchen towel or parchment paper and foil for covering
• Whisk or fork for mixing flaxseed egg
• Small saucepan for brewing tea
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Prepare the flax egg: In a small bowl, whisk together the ground flaxseeds and water. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it thickens and gels.
2. Soak the dried fruits: Place the mixed dried fruits and chopped apricots in a bowl. Pour over the cooled strong black tea and 50ml of dark rum. Cover and allow to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs, plain flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, and salt. Stir well to distribute all the spices evenly.
4. Add the soaked fruits and nuts: Drain the soaked dried fruits slightly, reserving a little soaking liquid. Add the fruits, apricots, and chopped nuts to the dry ingredients. Mix gently but thoroughly.
5. Incorporate wet ingredients: Add the prepared flax egg, orange zest, lemon zest, molasses, and about 2 tablespoons of the reserved soaking liquid to the mixture. Stir everything together until it forms a thick, sticky batter. If it feels too dry, add a little more soaking liquid or tea.
6. Prepare the pudding basin: Grease the pudding basin lightly with vegan butter or oil. Spoon the pudding mixture into the basin, pressing it down gently to remove air pockets.
7. Cover the basin: Cover the top with a layer of parchment paper or a clean kitchen towel, then cover tightly with foil. Secure the foil with string if necessary to keep it in place.
8. Steam the pudding: Place the pudding basin in a large saucepan filled with boiling water halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover with a lid and steam gently for 6 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the water doesn’t boil dry. Top up with boiling water as needed.
9. Cool and store: Once steamed, remove the pudding from the pot and allow it to cool completely. Replace the parchment and foil with fresh covers and store in a cool, dry place for up to 1 month to mature and develop flavors.
10. Reheat before serving: On the day you want to serve, steam the pudding again for 2 hours to warm through.
11. Serve with flair: Turn the pudding out onto a serving plate, warm some dark rum, pour it over the pudding and carefully light it to flambé. Serve with vegan brandy butter, custard, or cream.

Tips & Variations

“For a richer flavor, soak your dried fruits in rum and tea for at least 24 hours or even up to a week. The longer, the better!”

• Nut-free option: Simply omit the nuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for a deeper spice profile.
• Sweetener swap: Use maple syrup instead of molasses if you prefer a lighter sweetness.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this pudding suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
• Make mini puddings: Use smaller molds or ramekins and reduce steaming time to about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegan Christmas pudding is a versatile dessert that pairs beautifully with many festive accompaniments. Here are some ideas:

• Vegan brandy butter: Whip softened vegan butter with powdered sugar and a splash of brandy for a creamy, boozy topping.
• Vegan custard: Serve warm with a drizzle of your favorite plant-based custard or vanilla sauce.
• Whipped coconut cream: Lightly sweetened and whipped coconut cream adds a tropical touch.
• Fresh fruits: Sliced pears, oranges, or pomegranate seeds offer a fresh contrast to the rich pudding.
• For a festive touch: Light the pudding with warmed rum just before serving for that traditional flaming presentation.

For more delicious vegan holiday recipes, don’t miss our Jamaican Minced Beef Recipes or try baking a sweet treat with the Marzipan Challah Recipe. If you love experimenting with dough, check out the Magic Dough Recipe for some baking inspiration.

Conclusion

This vegan British Christmas pudding recipe is a heartwarming way to celebrate the holidays with compassion and flavor. It captures all the traditional elements — from the rich dried fruits and spices to the moist, dense texture — without relying on any animal products.

By soaking the fruits in rum and tea, and using flaxseed as a binder, we create a pudding that’s both authentic and accessible to everyone at the table.

The preparation might take some time, especially with soaking and steaming, but the result is absolutely worth it. This pudding makes a fantastic gift or a show-stopping dessert for your family feast.

Whether you’re vegan or just curious to try a plant-based twist on a classic, this pudding is sure to bring warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Vegan British Christmas Pudding”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A rich and moist traditional British Christmas pudding made entirely vegan. Packed with dried fruits, spices, and a hint of brandy for festive flavor.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT4H”, “totalTime”: “PT4H30M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“200g mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, sultanas)”, “100g chopped dried figs”, “50g chopped dried apricots”, “100g grated apple”, “100g grated carrot”, “150g dark brown sugar”, “100g fresh white breadcrumbs”, “100g ground almonds”, “2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water”, “2 tsp mixed spice”, “1 tsp ground cinnamon”, “100ml brandy or vegan-friendly dark rum”, “Zest of one lemon”, “Zest of one orange”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Soak the dried fruits in brandy overnight or at least 4 hours.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix ground flaxseed with water and set aside to thicken.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Combine soaked fruits, grated apple, carrot, sugar, breadcrumbs, almonds, spices, and citrus zest in a large bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add the flaxseed mixture and mix well to bind all ingredients.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Grease a pudding basin and fill it with the mixture, pressing down firmly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cover with a double layer of greased parchment and foil, securing with string.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Steam the pudding for 4 hours, checking water level regularly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Allow to cool, then store in a cool place until Christmas.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Reheat by steaming for 2 hours before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “5 g”, “fatContent”: “8 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “70 g”}}