Figgy Pudding: Steamed Christmas Pudding with Toffee Sauce

Figgy pudding is the dessert everyone sings about but few have tasted. It is a dark, moist steamed pudding loaded with chopped dried figs, brown sugar, butter, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Served warm with a buttery brandy toffee sauce, it is pure Christmas comfort.

This modern version skips the suet and the weeks of aging. It uses butter, a simple batter, and a pudding basin or bundt pan steamed on the stovetop, so you can make it in an afternoon.

For more cozy holiday puddings and cakes, try my sticky toffee pudding, fruitcake, and Christmas rum cake. For another classic, bake the old-fashioned gingerbread.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Figgy Pudding
• What Is Figgy Pudding?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Figgy Pudding
• Expert Tips for Perfect Figgy Pudding
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Figgy Pudding
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Figgy Pudding

This pudding brings an old tradition to a modern kitchen.

Super Moist

Steaming keeps the pudding soft and tender.

Rich Fig Flavor

Dried figs simmered until jammy.

No Suet Needed

Butter makes it easy to find ingredients.

Warm Toffee Sauce

Buttery, boozy, and irresistible.

Make Ahead

It reheats beautifully.

What Is Figgy Pudding?

Figgy pudding is an English Christmas pudding that dates back to the 1600s. It became famous through the carol We Wish You a Merry Christmas, with the line now bring us some figgy pudding.

It is a steamed pudding, which means the batter cooks gently in a covered basin set in simmering water. That moist heat gives it a dense, sticky, cake-like texture completely different from baked cake.

Ingredients

Fig Mixture

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Dried figs, stems removed, chopped	1½ cups	Main fruit
Water	1 cup	Softens the figs
Brandy or orange juice	2 tablespoons	Flavor
Baking soda	1 teaspoon	Softens the figs and helps rise

Pudding Batter

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Unsalted butter, softened	½ cup	Rich crumb
Dark brown sugar, packed	¾ cup	Deep caramel flavor
Large eggs	2	Structure
Molasses	1 tablespoon	Dark color and flavor
Orange zest	1 teaspoon	Brightness
All-purpose flour	1½ cups	Body
Baking powder	1 teaspoon	Rise
Ground cinnamon	1½ teaspoons	Warm spice
Ground ginger	1 teaspoon	Spice
Ground nutmeg	½ teaspoon	Spice
Salt	½ teaspoon	Balance
Chopped walnuts, optional	½ cup	Crunch

Brandy Toffee Sauce

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Unsalted butter	½ cup	Rich sauce
Dark brown sugar	1 cup	Toffee flavor
Heavy cream	¾ cup	Creamy texture
Brandy, optional	2 tablespoons	Holiday flavor
Salt	1 pinch	Balance

Kitchen Equipment

• 6-cup pudding basin or bundt pan
• Large stockpot with lid
• Parchment paper and foil
• Kitchen twine
• Small saucepan
• Stand or hand mixer
• Small heatproof trivet or folded towel

Ingredient Tips

Soft Dried Figs

Mission or Calimyrna figs both work. Soft, plump figs are best.

Dark Brown Sugar

It gives the classic dark color and toffee flavor.

Fresh Spices

Fresh ground spices make a big difference.

Alcohol-Free

Use orange juice instead of brandy in both the figs and sauce.

Room Temperature Eggs

They blend smoothly into the butter.

How to Make Figgy Pudding

Step 1: Cook the Figs

Simmer the figs and water for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the brandy and baking soda. It will foam. Cool 10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Basin

Generously butter the pudding basin and line the bottom with a circle of parchment.

Step 3: Cream

Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the molasses and orange zest.

Step 4: Combine

Mix in the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Fold in the fig mixture and walnuts.

Step 5: Cover

Spoon the batter into the basin. Cover with a pleated sheet of parchment and foil, and tie tightly with twine.

Step 6: Steam

Set the basin on a trivet in a large pot. Add boiling water halfway up the sides. Cover and simmer gently for 2 hours, topping up the water as needed.

Step 7: Make the Sauce

Melt the butter and brown sugar. Stir in the cream and salt and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the brandy.

Step 8: Serve

Rest the pudding 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate. Pour warm toffee sauce over the top and garnish with holly.

Expert Tips for Perfect Figgy Pudding

Pleat the Cover

A fold in the paper and foil lets the pudding rise.

Gentle Simmer

A rolling boil can make water splash into the pudding.

Check the Water

Top up with boiling water every 30 minutes.

Test with a Skewer

It should come out clean from the center.

Flaming Option

Warm 2 tablespoons brandy, pour over, and carefully light for a dramatic finish.

Delicious Variations

Date and Fig

Use half chopped dates and half figs.

Baked Version

Bake in a covered bundt pan in a water bath at 325°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Mini Puddings

Steam in buttered ramekins for 45 minutes.

Chocolate Fig

Add ¼ cup cocoa and chocolate chips.

Orange Hard Sauce

Serve with orange butter instead of toffee sauce.

What to Serve with Figgy Pudding

Serve warm slices with toffee sauce, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or custard.

It is a cozy finish to Christmas dinner alongside coffee or a glass of port.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator	5 days	Wrapped tightly; sauce stored separately
Freezer	3 months	Wrapped in plastic and foil
Room Temperature	1 day	Covered

Reheat the pudding by steaming it again for 30 to 45 minutes, or microwave slices for 30 seconds.

Rewarm the sauce gently on the stove.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Steam the pudding up to 3 days ahead, cool, and refrigerate in the basin. Re-steam for 45 minutes before serving.

The toffee sauce can be made 5 days ahead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Water Getting Inside

Tie the cover tightly and keep the water halfway up the basin.

Letting the Pot Boil Dry

It can scorch the pudding.

Not Greasing the Basin

The pudding will stick.

Skipping the Baking Soda

The figs stay tough.

Unmolding Too Soon

Rest 10 minutes so it holds its shape.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	520
Carbohydrates	72g
Protein	5g
Fat	25g
Saturated Fat	14g
Fiber	3g
Sugar	54g
Sodium	330mg
Cholesterol	100mg

Estimate per serving, based on 10 servings with sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Figgy pudding is warm, moist, spiced, and full of holiday history. With rich toffee sauce, it is a dessert worth singing about.

Make it this Christmas and bring a little old-fashioned magic to your table.

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