A good old fashioned rib sticking steamed suet pudding from North Wales. Snowdon pudding, as it’s called, is flavoured with lemon zest and marmalade. Recipe for lemon sauce included as it makes a lovely accompaniment.
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Last year I visited North Wales for the very first time and completely fell in love with it. We had a view of Snowdon from our bedroom window and we got a lot of walking done. We didn’t, however, get even a sniff of Snowdon pudding, which is a bit of a shame as it’s the sort of rib sticker that would have helped sustain us on our treks up hill and down dale.
My mother had a particular fondness for suet puddings. So I was lucky enough to be brought up with a succession of steamed treats such as treacle pudding, Sussex pond pudding and spotted dick, of course. The love of these has never left me, even though I now use vegetarian suet rather than lard. So when cottages.com challenged me to try my hand at Snowdon Pudding, known in the local vernacular as Pwdin Eryri, I seized the opportunity to dig out my pudding bowl.
Snowdon Pudding with Lemon Sauce
I like to try regional recipes wherever I visit. We managed to track down some teisen berffro biscuits which are a local speciality on nearby Anglesey, but as previously mentioned, Snowdon pudding passed us by.
It was first created in the Victorian era along with most other steamed suet puddings and was served at that time in the hotel at the foot of Mount Snowdon to refuel walkers after their return from the summit. It’s perfect fuel for yomping around in the mountains of Snowdonia.
An old mate of CT’s has the fun job of walking to the top of Snowdon regularly to take the weather readings. I bet he’d go up a bit faster if he knew a slice of steaming Snowdon pudding was waiting for him when he got back.
I was delighted to find that one of the ingredients for the pudding was lemon marmalade. It just so happens that I have a large stock of my homemade version in the cupboard.
Snowdon pudding is traditionally served with a sweet wine sauce, but I used a tart lemon one instead. As I hoped, this elevated the lemon zest and lemon marmalade flavourings of the pudding and cut through its richness.
The pudding itself was up there with the best of my mother’s offerings. As usual I couldn’t quite stick to the recipe and I substituted wholemeal breadcrumbs for the white ones specified in the original. When I make this again and I really think I will, I’ll reduce the amount of suet to about 60g as there did seem to be rather a lot of it.
Staying in Snowdonia
If you love holidaying in the UK like we do, I can highly recommend Snowdonia as a top destination. It’s stunningly beautiful in a majestic sort of way. There’s plenty to do, even if hiking isn’t your thing: castles, museums, stately homes, gardens and beaches to name but a few.
And I was really impressed with the vegetarian and vegan offerings in the local cafes and restaurants. CT certainly thought things had come 0n since his time living there last century.
Self-catering cottages are a fantastic way to make the most of local food. This cottage, Preswylfa, is located in the Vale of Ffestiniog, in the middle of the Snowdonia National Park and is an ideal location for exploring this spectacular region. Don’t forget a ride on the Festiniog Railway and a tour of the local slate caverns.
When not out and about, you can sit out in the garden and enjoy the views. And if it rains (it does sometimes), get cosy in the kitchen and knock up a Snowdon pudding. The kitchen is well equipped, so you should find everything you need. If you’re of a literary persuasion, you might like to read a novel by Victorian writer, Elizabeth Gaskell; she was fond of this area and spent some time here on her wedding tour.
Other Traditional British Puddings You Might Like
- Blackberry & apple crumble
- Chocolate bread and butter pudding
- Eve’s pudding
- Granny’s Apple Pie
- Self-saucing chocolate pudding
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you try this recipe for Snowdon pudding, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate it. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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Choclette x
Snowdon Pudding. PIN IT.
Snowdon Pudding with Lemon Sauce – The Recipe
Snowdon Pudding with Lemon Sauce
Ingredients
Snowdon Pudding
- 100 g suet (I used vegetarian suet)
- 15 g rice flour or cornflour (I used semolina)
- 75 g soft brown sugar (I used light muscovado)
- 100 g breadcrumbs (I used wholemeal breadcrumbs)
- 50 g raisins
- 3 eggs (I used duck eggs)
- 75 g lemon marmalade (I used my own homemade)
- 1 organic lemon zested – organic is always unwaxed
Lemon Sauce
- 200 ml water
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 50 g golden granulated sugar
- ½ lemon juiced
- 20 g salted butter
Instructions
Snowdon Pudding
- Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, except for a handful of raisins.100 g suet, 15 g rice flour, 75 g soft brown sugar, 100 g breadcrumbs, 50 g raisins
- Break the eggs into the bowl, add the marmalade and lemon zest. Stir into the dry mixture until mixed.3 eggs, 75 g lemon marmalade, 1 organic lemon
- Grease a pudding basin and put the reserved handful of raisins at the bottom.
- Pour in the mixture, cover with greaseproof paper and tie a cloth over the top.
- Place in a large pan with about 5-6 cm of simmering water in the bottom. Cover and steam for 1½ hrs, checking the water level from time to time.
- Turn out and serve with lemon sauce.
Lemon Sauce
- Mix the cornflour with a little of the water in a cup or bowl and set aside.2 tsp cornflour
- Heat the rest of the water with the sugar in a pan over a moderate heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved.50 g golden granulated sugar
- Pour a little into the cornflour mix and stir. Pour this back into the pan and bring to the boil, stirring all the time.
- Add the lemon juice and simmer for 3-4 minutes.½ lemon
- Turn the heat off and stir in the butter.20 g salted butter
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I’m sharing my Snowdon pudding with Apply to Face Blog for #BakingCrumbs. They also go to Cooking With My Kids for #CookBlogShare.
My thanks to cottages.com for sponsoring this post. They did not expect me to write a positive review and all opinions are, as always, my own. This post contains affiliate links to Amazon*. Links are marked with an *. If you buy through a link it won’t cost you any more, but I’ll get a small commission. Thank you for your support of the brands and organisations that help to keep Tin and Thyme blithe and blogging.
Sylvie says
I had never heard of Snowdon Puddings before but it looks delicious! Love the addition of lemon in it, definitely a great way to add lots of flavours!
Choclette says
Well I have to say, before I made it, I’d never heard of it either. It’s a shame it’s so little known, because it’s really good.
Jenny Walters says
What a fabulous recipe. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as lemon marmalade! Feeling very uneducated but absolutely uplifted by this pudding. It looks and sounds delicious. Obviously I love steamed puddings with a passion so have earmarked this one as soon as I find some lemon marmalade! We visited Snowdon last year in our caravan and it rained non stop for the 3 days we were there! However it was so beautiful that we will be back and that cottage looks a much better bet! Thank you so much for linking to #BakingCrumbs
Choclette says
Well if you speak to purists like my mother, there is only one thing that can be called marmalade and that’s seville orange marmalade. But lemon marmalade has been a thing ever since I can remember. Oh I hope you have better luck next time with the weather. I’ve only ever been to North Wales once and we were lucky to get a whole week of dry weather.
Rosemary says
This looks like the perfect pudding for a cold January day! I love old fashioned puddings but have never come across this one. Lemon is one of my favourite pudding flavours so will definitely be giving it a go.
Choclette says
I grew up with suet puddings galore, but never this one. It’s fabulous if you like lemon but pretty good anyway.
Helen - Cooking with my kids says
I’ve never heard of a snowdon pudding. It looks good though – just the thing for this time of year! #CookBlogShare
Choclette says
Yes indeed, proper rib-sticking comfort food.
Janice says
This sounds like a wonderful pudding. Just the thing for cold days.
Choclette says
I do love a good steamed pudding, I just don’t get around to making them very often.
the caked crusader says
I’m sure suet puddings made my generation what we are! Nowadays, I tend to make a spongier steamed pud, than suet, but I remember with great fondness spotted dick or jam roly poly
Choclette says
Oh me too CC. I might see if I can persuade my mum to make one again this winter, she makes the best suet puds but hasn’t done one in years.
Natalie Tamara says
This looks beautiful! I haven’t had suet puddings since I was a child but always used to love it. I’ll second what a gorgeous part of the country North Wales is too! Did you visit Portmeirion when you were there?
Choclette says
Yes, suet puds don’t normally feature on our dinner table either, but I really enjoyed it. We were further up staying near Llanberis, so no I didn’t get to Portmeirion. I definitely need to go back and stay longer, there’s so much to see and do.
Ludmilla says
When I had for the first time a long time ago snowdon pudding was with lemon toffee sauce and it was delicious. Your pudding looks delicious!
Choclette says
Ooh yes, lemon toffee sauce sounds like a fine accompaniment Ludmilla. Lovely idea.
Lisa says
Well now I want to book a flight across the pond and a stay in Snowdon! Your pudding sounds rich and delectable, and with lemon sauce…..I can almost taste it from just your photos and description!
Choclette says
Aww, thank Lisa. A trip across the pond has got to be worth doing surely 😉 The pudding is, perhaps, a bit more achievable.
Catherine says
What a beautiful place! I would love to visit…this sounds like such a wonderful treat as well. xo, Catherine
Choclette says
Having been to North Wales once, I’d love to go again and I’d be very happy to stay in this cottage Catherine 😉
Kavey says
I’ve never heard of Snowdon Pudding before but this does look delicious. I love North Wales, even though I’m not a big walker, it’s just so beautiful.
Choclette says
It really is beautiful Kavey. If it didn’t rain so much, I’d love to live there.
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
I’ve walked up (and down) Mount Snowdon and this pudding would have been very welcome afterwards!
Choclette says
Well done you Cathy. I’ve not actually been up Snowdon but I think a piece of this pudding should be mandatory for all who have done so 😉
Aimee says
I did think you were mad for making a steamed pudding in this heat but actually it looks like it was so worth it! Gorgeous pudding!
Choclette says
Thanks Aimee, I thought I was a little mad myself, but it really was worth it in the end 🙂
Corina says
I love Snowdon – had a great long weekend there a few years ago but I never got to try out Snowdown Pudding. It would have been lovely to eat after we’d got back from walking up the mountain!
Choclette says
I have to confess we didn’t actually walk up the mountain or even go there, but a piece of the pudding would have been very welcome nonetheless 😉
Heidi Roberts says
Gosh, I can’t remember the last time I had a steamed sponge pudding – what a great idea to keep the old recipes going.
Choclette says
It’s the first one I’ve had in a very long time Heidi and it was thoroughly enjoyed 😉
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
Snowdon pudding aside (which looks fantastic by the way) how stunning is that cottage kitchen?! I’d be happy if that was my HOME kitchen let alone the one I got to cook in on holiday 😛 I’m so desperate to get away but don’t have any holiday days left 🙁 maybe later in the year…
Choclette says
I know exactly what you mean Emma – on all fronts 😉
janie says
Snowdon is such a stunning area isn’t it? I’d love to go back with more time on my hands to explore 🙂
Janie x
Choclette says
Oh yes, me too Janie. We saw quite a bit in the week we were up there, but so much we didn’t see.
Katharine says
Your recipe sounds lovely and I think the lemon sauce would go perfectly. What you say is so true, I live within 1 hour’s drive of Snowdon and have never seen the pudding on any restaurant menu around here!
Choclette says
Thanks Katharine. I think serving any kind of suet pudding is a rarity these days – they are well and truly out of fashion. I didn’t realise you were up in North Wales, I’m quite envious.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I have never made a suet pudding…it looks so very tempting!
Choclette says
They are a very British thing Angie and old-fashioned too – made for filling you up 😉
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
Your pudding looks magnificent – I wish I could find vegetarian suet in Australia (and that it isn’t so far to travel to snowdonia – would love to visit)
Choclette says
Thanks Johanna. I have a bit of a love / hate relationship with vegetarian suet. I was so excited when they first made it and it works really well as a substitute, but I’m a bit wary about the oils used.