plum pudding

American  

noun

1. a rich steamed or boiled pudding containing raisins, currants, citron, spices, etc.

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plum pudding British  

noun

1. (in Britain) a dark brown rich boiled or steamed pudding made with flour, suet, sugar, and dried fruit

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Etymology

Origin of plum pudding

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

For dessert, there was a plum pudding with a five-cent coin hidden amongst the dried fruit – a nod to the British tradition.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2025

I was about to say it’s as American as applesauce cake, but I don’t remember much about applesauce cake — though I will say it beats plum pudding anytime.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2022

It’s easier to make than a buche de noel, more satisfying than a plum pudding.

From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2021

Predict the paths taken by α particles that are fired at atoms with a Thomson’s plum pudding model structure.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

“I was brought up to look at the atom as a nice hard fellow, red or grey in color, according to taste,” he remarked years later of the plum pudding model.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik