Sussex pond pudding is a classic English dessert that is believed to have originated in the county of Sussex, England. This traditional dish combines a sweet, creamy custard filling with a flaky, golden pastry crust. It is typically served warm, often accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or custard. With its rich flavor and simple yet elegant presentation, Sussex pond pudding is a delightful treat that has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by many today.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
TRADITIONAL SUSSEX POND PUDDING
This wintry British pudding is also called Kentish Well Pudding. As it steams, the lemon softens and forms a marmalade-like sauce. Be sure each person gets a portion of the lemon in their serving.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Put a clean dish towel in the bottom of a large stockpot; fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cover, and let simmer until ready to use.
- Place flour, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine. Add 1/2 cup butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds.
- While the machine is running, add 8 tablespoons of ice water to the mixture, and process until the dough just holds together. Wrap the dough in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Remove two-thirds of the dough (leave remaining dough in refrigerator). Roll out to 1/8-inch thickness, and line a 1-quart pudding bowl or souffle dish with the dough.
- Roll out the remaining dough. Layer the lined pudding bowl with half the light-brown sugar and 1/8 cup butter. Prick lemon all over with the point of a paring knife. Place lemon in center of bowl, sprinkle with remaining sugar and butter, and cover with remaining dough. Trim edges.
- Place a 10-inch circle of waxed paper over bowl. Secure with a rubber band. Place in stockpot with towel and simmering water that comes halfway up the sides of the bowl. Cover; steam for 5 hours, making sure the water remains at a bare simmer. Add more water if necessary. Transfer from heat, and invert pudding onto a serving platter; serve immediately.
SUSSEX POND PUDDING
The "pond" in a Sussex pond comes from the liquid that slowly cooks inside the pastry; as the pudding steams, butter and brown sugar melt into sliced lemons, morphing into a glossy, perfumed sauce (our take has kumquats as well).
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Yield Makes 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Make the dough: Pulse flour, baking powder, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice water, and process until mixture forms a soft dough. Shape dough into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Set a round wire rack in bottom of a large stockpot. Set four 1-cup pudding basins or ramekins (about 3 3/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 inches high) on rack. Fill pot with enough water to come about three-quarters of the way up sides of pudding basins. Remove basins, and dry. Cover pot, and bring to a boil.
- Butter four 5-inch rounds of parchment paper; set aside. Unwrap dough; transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to 1/8 inch thick, and cut out four 9-inch rounds. Cut a 2-inch wedge from each round to make it easier to fit dough into basins; wrap wedges and remaining scraps of dough in plastic, and refrigerate until ready to use. Fit a dough round into each basin, overlapping cut sides of wedge and pressing seams to seal, allowing a 1-inch overhang.
- Fill the puddings: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon brown sugar into each basin. Divide butter among basins. Add kumquats and lemon slices, dividing evenly. Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
- Transfer remaining dough to a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to 1/8 inch thick. Using 2 1/2-inch cutters, cut out 4 rounds. Place on top of filling. Fold overhang over top, and pinch seams to seal.
- Place a parchment round, buttered side down, on top of each pudding. Make a pleat in center of each round. Cover each with a 6-inch round of foil, pleating if desired. For each pudding, cut a piece of kitchen twine about 3 feet long. Wrap twine twice around basin over foil, just below lip. Knot to secure. Tie loose ends to twine on other side of basin, creating a handle.
- Lower puddings into boiling water; cover. Return to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and steam 2 1/2 hours, adding boiling water occasionally to maintain level.
- Transfer puddings to a wire rack, and let cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges of bowls to loosen, and invert puddings onto serving plates. Serve warm.
SUSSEX POND PUDDING - OLD FASHIONED STEAMED LEMON PUDDING
A fabulous and very old British recipe - whole fresh lemons are encased in a light suet pastry case which is then steamed to make the most delicious self-saucing dessert. This is a classic British pudding which is easy to make and a tasty and tangy way to end a rich meal, such a Sunday lunch. What's in a name? Made of a suet pastry which encases the whole lemons, with butter and sugar, after lengthy steaming they all melt together to make the pond, hence the name! Historical note about Sussex Pond Pudding: Suet was particularly popular as an ingredient in the southern half of England, and there are suggestions that the women of Sussex were especially adept at making use of it. Westham, Chailey, Lancing and Horsham all have associations with the pudding, but doubtless a number of other towns and villages in the county will claim it as their own. In days gone by the pudding was more often made by gently simmering the pudding in a clout or cloth, and some believe that this method continued longer in Sussex than elsewhere in the country. Sussex Pond Pudding consists of suet pastry formed in a pudding basin. Inside the pastry case a filling made of equal quantities of brown sugar and butter and 1 or 2 whole lemons scrubbed, and then pricked all over. The pastry lid seals the goodness inside, and the whole pudding is steamed at length. The lengthy steaming is required to work the magic inside the pastry: the juices of the lemon, mix with the melted butter and the brown sugar, creating a rich but sharp sauce that should gush from the pudding when it is cut into at table. 'Pond', appears to refer to the brown liquid that surrounds the pudding on its plate. Older sources indicate another possibility, that 'pond' was a corruption of the 'pound' of sauce that was produced from the pudding. (Recipe from Delicious magazine and historical notes from The Pudding Club.)
Provided by French Tart
Categories Dessert
Time 3h25m
Yield 1 Sussex Pond Pudding, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Prick the lemons all over with a skewer. Cut the butter into fine dice and chill.
- 2. Combine the flour and suet (or grated butter) in a bowl and add the milk. Knead to form a dough. Divide it into 2 rough balls, comprising of a third and two-thirds of the mix respectively. Flour a worktop and roll out the larger ball. Use it to line the base and sides of a buttered, 1.5-litre pudding basin.
- 3. Fill the pudding with half the cold butter cubes and half the sugar. Pop the whole lemons on top, then top with the rest of the sugar and butter. Roll out the smaller ball of dough to make a lid for the pudding (this will become the base so make it nice and thick). Brush the edges of the lid with water, put on top of the pudding and press to seal.
- 4. Cover with a circle of baking paper and tie under the rim of the basin with kitchen string to secure. Before cutting the string, take it up over the top to create a loose handle, then tie securely. Trim off any excess baking paper. Place the basin in a large pan and pour hot water into the pan until it reaches two-thirds of the way up its sides of the basin. Cover and simmer for 3 to 3½ hours. Keep an eye on the water level, and top up as necessary. Allow the pudding to rest for 10 minutes before carefully turning out onto a serving dish. When serving, ensure everyone gets a little of the lemon. Serve with cream or ice cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Fat 31.4, SaturatedFat 13.2, Cholesterol 38.1, Sodium 635.5, Carbohydrate 52.6, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 18, Protein 5.5
Tips:
- Use fresh and high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your Sussex pond pudding.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the pudding tough.
- Let the pudding rest for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the flavors to meld and the pudding to set.
- Bake the pudding in a greased and floured baking dish. This will prevent it from sticking.
- Serve the pudding warm with your favorite custard or sauce.
Conclusion:
Sussex pond pudding is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and classic flavor, this pudding is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give Sussex pond pudding a try. You won't be disappointed!
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