British Food: Desserts

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Guide to British Desserts

Traditional British desserts are all about comfort eating. You certainly can't worry about calories when you have any of the following desserts, but for a treat every now and then, they can't be beaten. Whilst the British people still love these old classics, we certainly don't have them every day, and loads of modern, international desserts are now also very popular.

Bread and Butter Pudding:

One of the most quintessentially (that’s a very English word by the way) English desserts is bread and butter pudding (left). As you may be able to guess, it contains bread and butter, as well as an egg and milk mixture. After baking in the oven it is often served with ice cream, cream or custard (or all three if that’s what you’re into).

Spotted Dick:

A funny name for a dessert that isn’t that funny, just delicious. It is a steamed spongey pudding with dried fruit in it- most often raisins, which is then usually served with custard. Though a traditional British dessert, it is not as popular as it once was and is often now just seen as something to laugh at because of its name. It still tastes delicious though so give it a try.    

Mince pies:

These are served around Christmas and are hugely popular in Britain. They are little pastry pies that are filled with mincemeat, which is not actually made from meat (thankfully), but is an preserve usually containing apple, dried fruit and spices. Come Christmas, mince pies and mulled wine together is a must.

Scones:

Little bready cakes that are usually smothered in jam and clotted cream and served with tea, to make the most clichéd of all British meals- the Cream Tea. Come mid afternoon it is assumed that the British all stop for ‘a spot of tea’. This actually doesn’t happen very often any more, though you can still get cream teas in the afternoon at many pubs, hotels and restaurants. 

Custard:

You may have noticed that many of the desserts in the UK are served with custard. If you have no idea what it is, you soon will after living in Britain for a while. It is basically a dessert sauce made from milk, egg yolks and sugar. If that doesn’t sound very exciting to you, firstly never mention that to your average Brit, and secondly try it and then make your mind up. 

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