Nothing says holiday cheer quite like the rich, spiced aroma of Christmas pudding wafting through the house – except maybe when you shrink that beloved dessert into adorable, bite-sized portions! These Christmas pudding shots festive treats delight have become my go-to holiday party staple ever since I first experimented with miniaturizing Grandma’s century-old recipe. After fifteen years of hosting chaotic (but wonderful) Christmas gatherings, I can tell you these little gems disappear faster than Santa’s cookies!
I’ll never forget the year my nephew – who normally turns up his nose at traditional pudding – devoured three of these shots before dinner. That’s the magic of transforming classic flavors into playful, single-serve treats. The brandy-soaked fruit, warm spices, and cloud of whipped cream capture everything we love about Christmas dessert, but in a form that lets guests mingle freely without balancing plates.
What makes these Christmas pudding shots so special isn’t just their nostalgic flavor – it’s how they bring people together. Last December, I caught my usually-reserved accountant cousin laughing with my teenage niece while comparing whose shot had more cream. That’s the kind of holiday moment these festive treats create effortlessly.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Pudding Shots Festive Treats Delight
Let me count the ways these little holiday miracles will steal your heart (and probably your guests’ hearts too)! After years of serving these at every Christmas party from neighborhood potlucks to fancy dinner gatherings, here’s why they’ve become my non-negotiable holiday treat:
- Bite-sized magic: No more awkwardly passing around a heavy pudding – these shots let everyone enjoy the rich flavors without committing to a huge slice. Perfect for mingling!
- All the nostalgia, half the fuss: They pack every bit of that traditional Christmas pudding flavor – the boozy fruit, warm spices, and creamy topping – but skip the hours of steaming a whole pudding.
- Make-ahead lifesaver: These actually taste better when made 1-2 days ahead, giving you one less thing to stress about on party day.
- Crowd-pleasing versatility: Between the alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, they satisfy everyone from Great-Aunt Mildred to your college-age cousins.
- Instant holiday cheer: Something about holding these little edible presents just makes people smile. Maybe it’s the whipped cream mustaches they inevitably cause!
Trust me, once you see how these disappear at your first holiday gathering, you’ll be making them every year like I do!
Ingredients for Christmas Pudding Shots Festive Treats Delight
Gathering these ingredients feels like opening little presents – each one adding its own special magic to the mix! Here’s exactly what you’ll need to make about 12 irresistible Christmas pudding shots:
- 1 cup dried mixed fruit (raisins, currants, and chopped apricots work beautifully), finely chopped
- 1/2 cup brandy or dark rum (apple juice makes a fantastic non-alcoholic substitute)
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (about 2 slices of day-old bread)
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar (that rich molasses flavor is key!)
- 1 tsp mixed spice (see my notes below for what’s in this magical blend)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Whipped cream for topping (the cloud-like finish makes all the difference!)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Now let’s chat about those special ingredients! Mixed spice is Britain’s answer to pumpkin spice – my blend combines cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cloves. No mixed spice? Use 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/4 tsp allspice.
For the breadcrumbs, fresh is best, but panko works in a pinch (just pulse it finer first). And about that fruit – dried gives concentrated flavor, but if you’re using fresh, reduce the soaking liquid by half. Oh, and splurge on good butter – it’s the soul of this recipe!
How to Make Christmas Pudding Shots Festive Treats Delight
Okay, let’s get these little holiday miracles made! I promise it’s easier than wrapping presents – and way more fun. Just follow these steps exactly like I do every Christmas:
- Soak those fruits overnight: This is non-negotiable! Toss your chopped dried fruit with brandy (or juice) in a bowl, cover, and let it sit at room temperature. The fruit plumps up beautifully and absorbs all that lovely flavor.
- Prep your breadcrumbs: While the fruit soaks, pulse day-old bread in a food processor until you get fine crumbs. Fresh crumbs make all the difference in texture – none of that sandy store-bought stuff!
- Mix dry ingredients: In a big bowl, whisk together your breadcrumbs, brown sugar, and mixed spice. I always take a deep inhale at this point – smells like Christmas!
- Beat wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs like you mean it, then slowly drizzle in the melted butter while whisking. You’ll get this gorgeous golden mixture that’s silky smooth.
- Combine everything: Now the magic happens! Fold the egg mixture into the dry ingredients, then add your boozy fruit (with any remaining liquid) and finally the flour. The batter should look like a thick, chunky cake mix.
- Fill your shot glasses: Spoon the mixture into heatproof shot glasses, filling them about 3/4 full. Pro tip: Use a small cookie scoop for neat, even portions!
- Steam away: Arrange the shots in a deep baking dish, pour boiling water halfway up the sides, cover tightly with foil, and steam for 1 hour. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
- Cool and top: Let them cool slightly before crowning each with a fluffy dollop of whipped cream. The contrast of warm pudding and cool cream is divine.
Steaming Method Tips
Don’t let steaming intimidate you! Just make sure your water bath comes halfway up the shot glasses and keep the water gently simmering. Check water levels every 20 minutes – add more boiling water if needed. They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Easy peasy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Pudding Shots
After making hundreds (okay, maybe thousands) of these little holiday wonders, I’ve picked up some tricks that’ll take your Christmas pudding shots from good to “can I have the recipe?” amazing. Here are my can’t-live-without secrets:
- Patience with soaking: That overnight soak isn’t just a suggestion – it’s what transforms chewy fruit into boozy, plump jewels. No time? Microwave the fruit and liquid for 2 minutes, then let sit for at least 2 hours.
- Fill like a pro: An ice cream scoop with a release mechanism gives you perfectly even portions every time. Fill shots 3/4 full – they puff up beautifully during steaming!
- Cool before crowning: Resist topping with whipped cream right away! Let shots cool 10 minutes so the cream stays fluffy instead of melting into the pudding.
- Garnish game strong: A dusting of cocoa powder, grated chocolate, or even edible gold glitter takes these from cute to showstopper. For adults, drizzle with extra brandy!
Follow these tips, and your Christmas pudding shots will be the talk of every holiday party – just like mine!
Serving Your Christmas Pudding Shots Festive Treats Delight
Presentation is half the fun with these little guys! I love arranging them on a tiered dessert stand – it turns them into edible Christmas ornaments. For extra holiday sparkle, dust the whipped cream with cocoa powder through a stencil (snowflakes are my favorite) or sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
The perfect pairing? Strong coffee for adults and hot chocolate for kids. Last year, I served them alongside mini gingerbread cookies, and the combo was legendary. Pro tip: Keep extra napkins handy – between the whipped cream mustaches and happy guests going back for seconds, things get deliciously messy!
Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
Here’s the beautiful thing about these Christmas pudding shots – they actually taste better after a day or two! Once cooled, cover them tightly with plastic wrap (whipped cream can wait) and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, I like to warm them gently in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes – just until they’re cozy, not hot. Then top with fresh whipped cream and watch them disappear!
Freezing? Absolutely! Freeze without toppings for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as above. The flavors deepen beautifully, making these the ultimate make-ahead holiday treat!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – these Christmas pudding shots are treats, not health food! But because I know some folks like to keep track, here’s the approximate nutrition per shot (values will vary slightly based on your exact ingredients):
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Remember, these are estimates – the real magic is in the holiday joy they bring, not the numbers! Enjoy them guilt-free as part of your festive celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve fielded every question imaginable about these Christmas pudding shots festive treats delight – here are the ones that come up most often at my holiday gatherings:
Can I freeze Christmas pudding shots?
Absolutely! These freeze like holiday champs – just skip the whipped cream topping first. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap (I do individual layers with parchment between) and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add fresh cream before serving.
What are good alcohol-free alternatives?
My favorite swap is apple juice mixed with 1 tsp vanilla extract – it gives that same cozy depth without the booze. Orange juice with a pinch of cinnamon works beautifully too. The fruit still plumps up gorgeously!
How long do they need to steam?
One hour is the sweet spot – enough time for the flavors to meld but not so long they dry out. If your shots are larger than standard, add 10-15 minutes and check with a toothpick.
How long do they last in the fridge?
They’ll stay delicious for 3 days refrigerated (without topping). The flavors actually improve on day two – one of my favorite make-ahead holiday treats! Try this strawberry lassi drink for another easy make-ahead treat!
What’s the best serving temperature?
I like them slightly warm – about 10 minutes out of the fridge or a quick warm in a low oven. The contrast with cool whipped cream is heavenly. Room temp works too if you’re short on time!
Share Your Holiday Creations
Nothing makes me happier than seeing your Christmas pudding shots festive treats delight come to life! Snap a photo of your holiday spread and tag me – I’ll feature my favorites on social media. Let’s spread the Christmas cheer one adorable pudding shot at a time!
Print
Irresistible Christmas Pudding Shots: 12 Festive Bites of Joy
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 shots 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas pudding shots are a festive treat that brings holiday cheer to any gathering. These delightful mini desserts pack all the flavors of traditional Christmas pudding into a fun, bite-sized form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried mixed fruit
- 1/2 cup brandy or rum
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup flour
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Soak dried fruit in brandy overnight.
- Mix breadcrumbs, sugar, and spice in a bowl.
- Beat eggs and melted butter together.
- Combine all ingredients and fold in flour.
- Spoon mixture into shot glasses.
- Steam for 1 hour.
- Top with whipped cream before serving.
Notes
- Make ahead for better flavor development.
- Can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Non-alcoholic version uses fruit juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Steamed
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shot
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: christmas pudding shots festive treats delight holiday dessert