Best ever family pudding recipes

Transform a leftover loaf into a comforting classic the whole family will love. Our traditional bread & butter pudding is layered with rich vanilla custard, dried fruit and lemon zest. This simple childhood favourite can be jazzed up with dollops of marmalade, spoonfuls of lemon curd or slices of banana with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Check out our top 10 ways to use up leftover bread for more clever ways to cut food waste.

2. Cinnamon, apple & pecan pudding

Our cinnamon, apple & pecan pudding uses warming spices, sweet fresh fruit and crunchy nuts to create the ultimate family treat. Serve up bowlfuls with Greek yogurt, cream or a spoonful of vanilla ice cream. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delicious dessert.

3. Easy treacle sponge

Our sticky, syrupy and simple treacle sponge has plenty of retro charm. It's delicious served with clotted cream and an extra drizzle of golden syrup. Don't fancy baking? Try our tip for making this fluffy pud in the slow cooker. Kids and adults alike will love this soft sponge and sweet sauce.

Find more inspiration for sponge pudding recipes with our best ever collection.

4. Burnt butterscotch rice pudding

Forget stodgy, sludgy bowls of disappointing rice pudding – this childhood classic just got a more indulgent upgrade with our burnt butterscotch rice pudding recipe. Coupling rich and creamy vanilla rice with a crunchy brûlée topping turns it into a dinner party-worthy dessert. Plus, it only uses six ingredients and takes just 10 minutes to prep, so no need to sweat it in the kitchen.

Stir up more childhood memories with our ultimate rice pudding recipes.

5. Squidgy chocolate pear pudding

Everyone will want a scoop of this hot, gooey chocolate pear pudding. You can make this easy recipe ahead of time and freeze if you need to. Use smooth dark chocolate for a stronger flavour and canned pears for an easy storecupboard fix. Beyond the chocolate crust, the middle of your pudding will still be squidgy and magnificently melty.

Find more cocoa-filled cakes and bakes with our favourite chocolate recipes.

6. Fastest ever lemon pudding

Short of time but don't want to skip dessert? Try our fastest ever lemon pudding, ready in under 10 minutes and microwave-friendly. This is the ultimate adaptable dessert – just double or halve the recipe as needed. We love the silky lemon sauce. It can also be turned into a cheat's chocolate sponge by swapping the lemon zest for cocoa power, and serving with ready-made chocolate sauce.

7. Cherry bakewell sponge pudding

Turn the humble bakewell tart into a heavenly sweet and fruity dessert. Our cherry bakewell sponge pudding has a soft sponge top with crunchy almonds, hiding a syrupy cherry centre. Serve with copious amounts of custard or cream. Boiling the cherry syrup and jam before using gives a gloriously thick and indulgent base for your filling. One mouthful of this moreish dish is never enough.

8. School days citrus pudding

You're just two steps away from our simple and squidgy school days citrus pudding. Use lemons, limes or grapefruit for a pillowy-soft, tangy filling. This saucy delight has just the right consistency – firm and golden on top but spongy underneath. Mixing in the egg whites separately will give your pudding a feather-light texture and bounce. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm from the oven.

Check out our best ever lemon dessert recipes for more refreshing sweet treats.

9. Quick sticky toffee puddings

There's nothing wrong with shortcuts in cooking, especially when they lead to a quick sticky toffee pudding in just 15 minutes. There are cheats and speedy hacks you can use on a fast-track to chocolate heaven, including a ridiculously rich sauce. Swap the sultanas for bananas if you fancy a banoffee twist, or try soaking the sultanas in sherry or marsala wine for a boozy grown-up version.

Treat yourself to more tempting toffee recipes from puddings and pies to seasonal cakes.

10. Microwave banana pudding

Make the most of our favourite piece of kitchen kit and try our microwave banana pudding. This 20-minute masterpiece is sure to be a family hit, helped along by a drizzle of toffee sauce and a scoop of ice cream. If you have any overripe bananas languishing in the fruit bowl, save them for this recipe. The browner and softer the fruit, the stronger the flavour when baked.

Make even more quick and easy cake recipes for speedy brownies and sponges.

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What's your favourite family pudding? Leave a comment below...