Flavors · Bakewell

Bakewell pudding

Sweet made with puff pastry topped with a layer of jam and filled with egg, butter, sugar and almond, with a texture between a custard and a cake. Associated with the town of Bakewell in the Peak District since the 19th century; it is not the same as the Bakewell tart.

Traditional sweet from Bakewell, Inglaterra

Also known as: Bakewell pud

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Bakewell pudding — Bakewell, the United Kingdom
Bakewell pudding
Bakewell pudding — Bakewell, the United Kingdom
Bakewell pudding
Bakewell pudding — Bakewell, the United Kingdom
Bakewell pudding
Bakewell pudding — Bakewell, the United Kingdom
Bakewell pudding

Bakewell pudding — Bakewell, the United Kingdom

Bakewell pudding is made in a tart tin lined with puff pastry. A layer of jam, usually raspberry, is spread over the pastry and a filling of eggs, butter, sugar and almond is placed on top. In the oven the filling rises and ends up between a custard and a cake—moist inside with crisp pastry edges. It can be eaten hot or cold.

The story told in Bakewell says the pudding was born from a mistake in the kitchen of the Rutland Arms hotel around 1860: the cook allegedly misunderstood the recipe and spread the egg mixture over the jam instead of mixing it into the pastry. The national park authority presents the story as tradition, and some point to similar older recipes.

According to the Derbyshire heritage record, the pudding was later commercialized by the hotel cook around 1865, in a building on Rutland Square. Today more than one Bakewell establishment claims to have the original recipe, and the dispute is part of the town’s tradition.

Outside Bakewell, the Bakewell tart—made with shortcrust pastry, jam and an almond cake topping, often with icing—is more common. The pudding is the recipe linked to the town.

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Where it comes from

Bakewell , Inglaterra
Sweet associated with the town of Bakewell since the 19th century, traditionally linked to the Rutland Arms hotel.

Ingredients

Puff pastry; jam (usually raspberry); eggs; butter; sugar; ground almond or almond essence.

How it is eaten

In slices, hot or cold, on its own or with custard or cream, accompanied by tea.

When it is eaten

All year round, as a dessert or for afternoon tea.

Your questions

Questions about Bakewell pudding

What is the difference between Bakewell pudding and Bakewell tart?

The pudding uses puff pastry, jam and an egg-and-almond filling with a texture between custard and cake. The tart is made with shortcrust pastry, jam and an almond cake topping, often with icing.

How did the Bakewell pudding originate?

The tradition in Bakewell says it originated from a mistake in the kitchen of the Rutland Arms hotel around 1860, when the cook spread the egg mixture over the jam. It is a story told in the town, without documentary confirmation.

Is Bakewell pudding eaten hot or cold?

Both ways: in slices, on its own or with custard or cream.

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