Pudding Recipes Fit for a Queen

Queen Elizabeth has laid down the gauntlet, challenging UK bakers to come up with the perfect 'Platinum Pudding' to help celebrate 70 years on the throne in 2022.

Competition rules stipulate that pudding recipes should be "genuine, accurate and original", "hand-made" and repeatable by home cooks. The winner's recipe will be served during the jubilee celebrations and selected by Great British Bake Off's Mary Berry, Masterchef's Monica Galetti, the Queen's head chef Mark Flanagan, plus social media star the Topless Baker.

Interestingly, dishes inspired by Royal events can and have made history in the past. Coronation chicken - boneless chicken coated in curry cream sauce - was created in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Queen Victoria's reign inspired the iconic Victoria sponge cake, and then there was Elizabeth I and her plum cake.

The competition is being run by London grocer Fortnum and Mason, and you can discover all the competition details here.

What is a pudding?

Pudding can mean different things to different people, as well as being both sweet and savoury. In the context of the competition, contestants should imagine their recipe being served for afternoon tea or after the main course, and consider all types of pudding techniques: steamed or baked, layered or rolled, a pie or crumble, a cake or tart. Think British classics like spotted dick, trifle, apple crumble, jam roly-poly and bread and butter pudding, or reach back in time to the Victorian era where one cookbook records over 220 puddings, offering a wealth of inspiration.

But ultimately, and most importantly, the competition host explains, "a good pudding should be joyful and celebratory, and make people smile." 

Take a look at the roundup of some of the best pudding recipes and be inspired.

Puddings fit for a Queen

Steamed chocolate pudding

Starting with Mary Berry - aka the 'Queen of Puddings' and celebrated Great British Bake Off judge - shares her tried and tested recipe for an authentic chocolate pudding generously drizzled in a rich chocolate sauce.

Lemon sponge pudding

If you prefer to celebrate winter citrus, try a moist lemon sponge, courtesy of the late and inimitable Gary Rhodes.

Heston's British puddings

Watch and learn as Heston Blumenthal dives into the past and uncovers the truth about Victorian puddings, as only he can.

Ginger jam bread and butter pudding

Domestic goddess Nigella Lawson takes a traditional bread and butter pudding to new heights in this recipe with a twist.

Sticky toffee pudding

The ubiquitous gastropub dessert usually gets good press and with reason. Try our recipe for individual serves.

Quince pudding

Draw on the season's bounty in this fruity crumble starring quince baked in seasonal spices and ruby port.

Christmas pudding

This steamed plum pudding is a must on most Christmas tables in the UK. Love it or hate it, this pudding is a seasonal symbol of celebration and feasting.

Apple sponge pudding

Love a good sponge pudding? Try this simple apple sponge paired with its favourite ally, cinnamon.

Rhubarb pudding

Tangy and tart rhubarb lends itself perfectly to a sweet pastry pudding in this easy recipe. This one's also gluten free.

Steamed spotted dick

Try having a go at making this iconic old-school favourite in this traditional recipe, steamed in a pudding basin.

Eggless Italian pudding

Our tried and tested eggless Italian-inspired milk pudding is a great departure for budding pastry chefs.