# In the UK people call cake "pudding" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365 "2020-04-08T18:27:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/81 "2020-04-09T20:23:25Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > custard is milk and eggs whisked together over heat to the wanted ooziness. Indeed. I reckon that warrants a shift into past-tense though. Custard in the UK is now so overwhelmingly expected to be based on Mr. Bird’s cornflour workaround for his egg-intolerant wife that egg-custard is specified as such, called “egg-custard” (baked until set, usually in a tart), “confectioners’ custard” (much the same, but not in a tart) or “creme anglaise” (pourable sauce). > [@](#): > > Mincemeat originally was just minced up whatever needed to be cooked - meat, vegetable, fruit. I have an old family recipe that calls for whatever meat is at hand and mentions pig, beef and venison as equally usable, dried fruits, extra diced lard, spices like clove, candied ginger and cinnamon … as either a dumpling style pudding or pie/tart filling. I personally love it with venison, but normally make it with beef. I have been thinking of trying TVP crumbles. “Originally” and “old” being very much your key words there: put meat in mincemeat nowadays and you’d damn well better tell everyone! Otherwise it would be like making an ale flavoured with ginger and simply labelling it “ginger ale”. Semantically legit, pragmatically ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/82 "2020-04-09T20:46:38Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Of course my one and so far only experience with the tapioca variety was as a kid; a babysitter made some for us. The texture was… well, I didn’t bother to acquire that taste. I don’t think it had much flavor either. I recall tapioca pudding being one of the most awful things I was forced to eat as a child. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/83 "2020-04-09T20:50:25Z")
> [@Scougs](#): > > OP, you may want to rethink your world view. > > How about: > > I’ve learned that in the UK, “pudding” is another word for “dessert”, including some kinds of cake and loads of other things. > > but my question to UK dopers is, have you ever had what \*\*us \*\*Americans call pudding? In my opinion, it’s one of the finest desserts. > > See the difference? My bold. Nitpick (as long as that’s what we’re doing…) “Have you ever had what **WE** Americans call pudding?” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/84 "2020-04-09T22:13:05Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I recall tapioca pudding being one of the most awful things I was forced to eat as a child. Not so bad with the rosehip syrup or jam stirred into it, as I recall ( which was how it came in our school lunches). ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/85 "2020-04-09T22:23:32Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Not so bad with the rosehip syrup or jam stirred into it, as I recall ( which was how it came in our school lunches). Oh god yeah. Always with jam! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/86 "2020-04-09T22:28:51Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > Oh god yeah. Always with jam! Jam = essential. We used to get sago pudding at school sometimes too, which is pretty much the same deal as tapioca. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/87 "2020-04-09T23:34:34Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Can’t say I see that very often, either. Yeah, it must really vary by region. Banana is by far the most common pudding I’ve seen, and the only pudding I’ve seen regularly made from scratch. I consider it to be the king of the puddings, by far. By itself, it’s great. Freshly dressed with vanilla wafers and whipped cream? Oh yeah! If you have only one American style pudding, have bananananananananana. I’ve never seen or eaten bread pudding. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/88 "2020-04-10T00:26:33Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The BATTER for Yorkshire pudding is similar to the batter for a [Dutch Baby](https://entertainingwithbeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DutchBabyPancakeRecipe-copy-2-e1535822327801.jpg) or [popover](https://noblepig.com/images/2013/03/Classic-Popovers-with-Tips-and-Tricks-for-Making-the-Best.jpg), i.e., VERY eggy, small amount of flour, poured into a hot pan, til it PUFFS up. Yep, I think popovers are essentially the same as Yorkshire puddings, based on the ingredients. So there’s a namechange for you if you ever want one, Yorkshire Pudding! > [@Scougs](#): > > OP, you may want to rethink your world view. > > How about: > > I’ve learned that in the UK, “pudding” is another word for “dessert”, including some kinds of cake and loads of other things. > > but my question to UK dopers is, have you ever had what us Americans call pudding? In my opinion, it’s one of the finest desserts. > > See the difference? That is probably a better way of asking the question. And no, I’ve never eaten American pudding. I’ve seen people eating it (in the US), but it was made with full fat milk that I don’t want to eat in company. It didn’t seem exactly like Angel Delight, though that’s the closest equivalent, and it’s thicker than custard, less airy than mousse, and is usually eaten cold and on its own. And this genuinely is not meant to be insulting because every culture has a fondness for kids’ food - pre-packaged baby food dessert. Banana pudding in a pot for a six month old is the only thing I’ve seen that really looked like American pudding. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/89 "2020-04-10T00:42:15Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > It’s a kind of instant pudding. The most common puddings in the US are [vanilla pudding](https://celebratingsweets.com/homemade-vanilla-pudding/), [chocolate pudding](https://www.hersheys.com/kitchens/en_us/recipes/quick-creamy-chocolate-pudding.html), [bread pudding,](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/bread_pudding/) and[rice pudding](https://www.mygorgeousrecipes.com/easy-creamy-rice-pudding/), all of which are standard home or restaurant (especially diners and cafeterias) desserts. The best pudding is butterscotch! The butterscotch pudding at JAR in Los Angeles is **awesome**. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/90 "2020-04-10T00:47:17Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > … although if you make too many and have one for pudding with ice cream, syrup etc, it’s pretty good. A sort of distant cousin of a clafoutis. There was a restaurant years ago called Gulliver’s that was a prime rib restaurant that served Yorkshire pudding as a side. My mom went with some friends once, and they lingered over their dinner so long the restaurant ran out of desserts. So, they served them Yorkshire pudding with whipped cream. My mom said it was yummy. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/91 "2020-04-10T00:50:13Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > The best pudding is butterscotch! The butterscotch pudding at JAR in Los Angeles is **awesome**. Oh yes, of course! In terms of commonness, I’d pit that right after vanilla, chocolate, banana, tapioca, and rice puddings. Dang it I want some stovetop pudding now with the skin on top. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/92 "2020-04-10T00:50:53Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > One man’s meat is another man’s poison. I had to read a monograph on cannabalism in college. It was called “One Man’s Meat is Another Man’s Person.” ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/93 "2020-04-10T01:01:27Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Oh yes, of course! In terms of commonness, I’d pit that right after vanilla, chocolate, banana, tapioca, and rice puddings. > > Dang it I want some stovetop pudding now with the skin on top. I think banana pudding is more a Southern U.S. dessert. I don’t see it anywhere. It might be in BBQ or Soul Food or specifically Southern food restaurants, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in a restaurant. I haven’t seen it in the markets either. I only know it as a homemade dessert. So, the place I’ve seen it most is on the 'Nilla Wafers box. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/94 "2020-04-10T01:41:48Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > And then there’s sticky toffee pudding, the greatest of all puddings and desserts. With clotted cream. Got introduced to that in, I think, Cornwall, or maybe Wales. Or maybe it was Cornwall and again in Wales. Doesn’t matter. It is delish. ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/95 "2020-04-10T01:55:19Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > There was a restaurant years ago called Gulliver’s that was a prime rib restaurant that served Yorkshire pudding as a side. My mom went with some friends once, and they lingered over their dinner so long the restaurant ran out of desserts. So, they served them Yorkshire pudding with whipped cream. My mom said it was yummy. I can see that. As a Yorkshire cook I should regard it with the sort of contempt normally reserved for Lancashire, but actually, that sort of thing really works! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/96 "2020-04-10T02:06:10Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > IME, Americans don’t really do custard. Huh? I love custard. We cook it from time to time. My daughter plans to make some tomorrow. > [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > Indeed. I reckon that warrants a shift into past-tense though. Custard in the UK is now so overwhelmingly expected to be based on Mr. Bird’s cornflour workaround for his egg-intolerant wife that egg-custard is specified as such, called “egg-custard” (baked until set, usually in a tart), “confectioners’ custard” (much the same, but not in a tart) or “creme anglaise” (pourable sauce)… Wait… cornflour custard? That’s American pudding. I’m not a huge fan of pudding, but I certainly enjoy a nice cup of chocolate pudding from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/97 "2020-04-10T02:26:48Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Huh? I love custard. We cook it from time to time. My daughter plans to make some tomorrow. > > Wait… cornflour custard? That’s American pudding. > > I’m not a huge fan of pudding, but I certainly enjoy a nice cup of chocolate pudding from time to time. Kinda…though it’s served hot, as an accompanying sauce. Bird’s Custard Powder is the classic - obviously there are others too - but that’s the Heinz Ketchup of custards. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/98 "2020-04-10T03:23:13Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > Kinda…though it’s served hot, as an accompanying sauce. Bird’s Custard Powder is the classic - obviously there are others too - but that’s the Heinz Ketchup of custards. Bird’s custard powder, despite its name, is not custard in any way. It resembles custard about as much as salad cream resembles fresh mayonnaise. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/99 "2020-04-10T03:32:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Not in my experience. I can’t say I’ve seen tapioca pudding in a long time. It may depend on your region. Have you actually seen bread pudding sold in cups or mixes? I have seen both for tapioca, which is why I assumed it was more popular. People buy pudding more more than they make it. Banana pudding I see less than tapioca in the above settung , but I see it a lot at restaurants. I hadn’t actually realized it was its own type if pudding, and not just a dairy pudding with bananas or banana flavoring. I do see a lot of non-dairy puddings for kids, though. I’m not sure what the actual thickening agent is, but I love lemon, sour apple, and whatever flavor red dragon pudding is. All from those little snack cups. ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365/100 "2020-04-10T10:25:12Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Bird’s custard powder, despite its name, is not custard in any way. It resembles custard about as much as salad cream resembles fresh mayonnaise. Well, it was invented in the year Victoria came to the throne, and has become known to generations of Brits as being what custard actually _is_, to the point that ‘real’ custard needs to be specified as a different thing - and potentially explained as it’s quite possible the listener will have never encountered it. Whether it’s ersatz in terms of the original egg-thickened version, and whether you happen to think it compares favourably or not, it’s what millions of people understand custard to be. 183 years and counting. Ubiquity. “not custard in any way” is a bit strong! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-uk-people-call-cake-pudding/851365.md?page=6)