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National Plum Pudding Day

Celebrate National Plum Pudding Day with a delicious twist on the classic dish - try our special recipe for a flavorful and unforgettable treat!

Friday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFebruary 12

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYDesserts

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Plum Pudding Day on Feb. 12 with a festive dessert! This traditional Christmas pudding is believed to have originated in the 16th century, and is a sweet combination of dried fruit, suet, brown sugar and spices that's boiled or steamed for several hours before serving. It can be served hot or cold with brandy butter, custard or cream - yum!

TIMELINE

National Plum Pudding Day Timeline

Invention of Plum Pudding

Plum pudding is believed to have originated in the 16th century in England. Despite its name, it originally contained prunes, not plums.

Christmas Presence

Plum pudding became associated with Christmas after it was mentioned in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol".

Mrs. Beeton's Recipe

The first widely available recipe for plum pudding was published in Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management in 1861.

International Expansion

By the 1920s, plum pudding had gained popularity beyond the UK, particularly in other Commonwealth countries and the United States.

Modern Popularization

As of the 2000s, the plum pudding tradition continues internationally, with various traditional and modernized recipes available online.

National Plum Pudding Day

An unknown year saw the declaration of February 12 as National Plum Pudding Day, celebrating the beloved dessert.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Plum Pudding Day

Bake your own pudding

Gathering the ingredients, mixing them together and baking it in the oven are certain to bring smiles all around. Plum pudding is easy and fun to make.

TRY

Try a new recipe

If you've made plum pudding before, why not try something new? Look for recipes online or in cookbooks that add unique ingredients or flavors to make it your own.

HOST

Host a plum pudding eating contest

Invite friends over, make several batches of the dessert, and see who can eat the most! This is sure to be a fun and tasty way to celebrate National Plum Pudding Day.

Share with neighbors

Nothing says "I care" like homemade food. Bake up some extra batches of plum pudding and share with family, friends or even strangers as a way to spread cheer.

ORGANIZE

Organize an online bakeoff

Get your friends involved in a virtual bakeoff by having them post pictures of their creations on social media and voting for your favorite. The winner can take home bragging rights!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Plum Pudding Day

It can be personalized

The best part about making Plum Pudding is that you can personalize it however you like. Feel free to play around with different flavors of dried fruit, spices and liquors for an unique twist on this classic dish. So no matter what your taste buds are craving, you're sure to find something special in this delightful dessert!

Plum pudding is a classic holiday treat

Plum pudding has been enjoyed for centuries and is a quintessential part of holiday celebrations. Whether it's served as a light dessert or a show stopper centerpiece, plum pudding is always a welcome addition to any festive table. Plus, it pairs perfectly with a dollop of ice cream or a splash of custard sauce.

It’s easy to make

Plum pudding might seem intimidating at first, but it's actually quite simple to make. All you need is dried fruit, spices, sugar and alcohol - plus some patience! The mixture can take up to 8 hours of simmering in order to reach the perfect consistency for your pudding.