Steamed puddings are primarily cold-weather fare. Their heavy, dense texture and richness make them warming, comforting desserts on winter nights. These same characteristics, however, make them inappropriate for year-round use.
The most famous steamed pudding is the English Christmas pudding, known in much of North America as plum pudding. A Christmas pudding, well made and with good ingredients, offers an unforgettable combination of flavors. The long list of ingredients makes the recipe look difficult, but once the ingredients are assembled and scaled, the pudding is simple to produce.