Consumer research by LillyPuds reveals that even in today’s high tech, trend-driven world, when it comes to Christmas, tradition remains important to 49% of Brits. As such, the age-old tradition to end the meal with the humble figgy pudding very remains in play today.
Already invested in Christmas, artisan Christmas pudding producer commissioned the SMPL research to find out what exactly what Brits are planning for 2023.
According to the research, 35% start planning for Christmas in September and October. However, not everyone feels that way, with 53% of men waiting until December to wrap their heads around the season. Only 18% of women are late-starters.
Despite modern ideas and the rise of social media trends, a mere 4% seek out new trends to embrace each year, with the majority resorting to tried and tested traditions. Moreover, 37% say it’s essential to have a Christmas pudding every year. 37% opt for a thoroughly traditional recipe, while 24% will choose a subtle twist on the classic.
Although figures show Christmas pudding sales have fallen across major supermarkets over the past five years, there is increased appetite for premium products. Some data even suggests Christmas pudding consumption has actually risen across all generations. In 2018, only 35% of 35-54 year olds were set to eat one, compared to 56% in 2022.
“I think it’s because we all love nostalgia and the Christmas table isn't complete without a Christmas pudding, even if there are other dessert options,” said founder Alison Lilly.
Alongside Christmas pud, 60% of those surveyed will also buy a second dessert – something choccy-based comes out top choice - with dietary requirements, personal preference and quality ingredients being key considerations.
“Christmas is the time of year to be nostalgic and, faced with bleak headlines, people do look to food for comfort, whether that’s leaning into familiar favourites that feel like a warm hug, or harking back to humble childhood favourites,” said Lilly.
“I think that’s why Christmas puddings remain so popular and intrinsic to the celebration.”
Suffolk-based LillyPuds creates an extensive range of Christmas puddings to suit all tastes, from the classic to Gluten Free, Nut Free, Vegan, Figgy Pudding and Plum Puddings. The brand also produces a range of sponge puddings and sauces, so all bases will be covered.
LillyPuds are available online, from Amazon and independent retailers nationwide.
Simply Ice Cream has relaunched its limited edition Christmas Pudding, Mince Pie & Gingerbread flavours.
The artisan ice cream producer is known for its small batch ice cream made in the heart of the Kentish countryside. Each tub contains 50% double cream, which gives a sumptuously creamy texture.
The Christmas Pudding ice cream features swirls of pudding chunks and rum-soaked raisins, the Gingerbread ice cream contains homemade gingerbread biscuit crumbles and real pieces of stem ginger for a fiery kick, while Mince Pie contains a whole pie – pastry and all.
“Our festive flavours are the perfect dinner party addition, and offer that luxurious foodie experience that people want over Christmas and New Year,” said founder Sally Newall.
Simply Ice Cream is stocked in selected Waitrose and Co-op stores, along with over 450 farm shops, cafes, deli’s and pubs, throughout London and the Southeast. It is also available online for an RRP of £5.99 per 500ml tub.
Alongside the Christmas offerings are flavours like Stem Ginger & Marmalade, Vanilla, Rum & Raisin, Cinnamon & Apple Crumble, available all year round.
GSN (Gold Standard Nutrition) is proudly trumpeting the arrival of a limited edition festive wrap that marries high protein convenience with a generous dollop of seasonal good cheer.
The lavishly packed seasonal wrap bundles together roast chicken, turkey bacon, stuffing and that all-important drizzle of gravy and cranberry sauce.
Since their launch in September, GSN’s wraps have become a gamechanger for foodservice operators seeking to offer customers a tasty on-the-go snack that’s big protein yet free from carbs, saturated fats and excessive salt and sugar. The lineup launched earlier this year includes four variants: Sweet Chilli, BBQ Chicken, Full English Breakfast and Chicken Tikka.
“As a business that first made its name providing snacking opportunities to gyms, leisure centres, university refectories and city canteens, it’s exciting to see the deluge of new enquiries from high street retail, supermarkets and airline operators,” said founder Craig Allen.
Positioned as a functional food operator championing ‘athleisure’, “we think of ourselves as a young customer-savvy operation, so when we received numerous enquiries for a health-conscious seasonal special, we knew we had to respond.”
GSN’s limited edition festive wrap is available at select outlets nationwide for an RRP of £2.99.
Patisserie Valerie is aiming to make Christmas that extra bit special with its handmade minced pies.
Generously sized, the star-topped pies are made from an all-butter shortcrust pastry, deeply filled with a rich blend of dried fruits and festive spices and softly dusted with icing sugar. Packaged in a rose gold gift box, the pies are available instore and online until 31 December – last order for Christmas Eve deliveries across the UK is 23 December – for an RRP of £14.95 for six.
All Patisserie Valerie cakes are baked fresh, then frozen and packed with dry ice to protect appearance during transport and to ensure they remain fresh. Mince Pies require four hours to defrost before being consumed and should be stored chilled, but for the best taste experience, be allowed to come up to room temperature before consuming.
Nestlé Toll House is breaking the cookie-cutter mould with a Cookie Shot ‘glass’.
Made from a chocolate chip cookie, the shots are a delicious way to serve up something a little sweet and a little toasty – and wow your diners in the process.
“No matter how you make, shape or bake cookies, we believe there’s no wrong way to do it,” said Carlo Ramírez de Arellano, senior brand manager, Nestlé Toll House.
“Americans prefer chocolate chip cookies 3:1 over any other cookie (3:1) and this year, bakers can get even more creative in the kitchen with our cookie shot glasses.”
This year, go bold. Coat the rim of the ‘glass’ with bold flavours – nutmeg, cinnamon, powdered chili – or switch up the inside by coating it with your favourite Nestlé Toll House Morsel – Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Premier White or Hot Cocoa & Marshmallow.
Until 8 December, fans can enter for a chance to win their own Nestlé Toll House Cookie Shot Kit, which includes cookie dough, morsels, a baking mould and a $25 gift card to purchase a beverage of your choice to customise your cookie shot selection.
You can still be a winner even if you don’t win. Visit the Toll House site to find a Cookie Shot recipe, customisation tips and more.
On a mission to create a kinder and healthier world one act and one snack at a time, Kind Snacks has partnered with Little Words Project to launch a limited edition Live Kind bracelet bundle.
The two brands put their heads together to create the new accessory specially for World Kindness Day. The duo also will donate $10,000 to FoodCorps, a nonprofit that provides students with nourishing meals, food education and culturally affirming experiences with food.
The friendship bracelet features the signing ‘Live Kind and comes with four of Kind’s bestselling nut bars.
Already seen gracing the wrist of Donna Kelce, the proud mother of not one, but two Super Bowl 2023 athletes, it’s the ideal Christmas gift that will keep giving back.
The exclusive bundles are available online from Kind and LWP for $29.99 each.
Entenmann’s has pulled out all the stops with its first-ever Donut Cake. Available in two variants – Cinnamon & Sugar and Double Chocolate Chip – the baked doughnuts come in boxes of six and are individually wrapped for freshness and on the go convenience.
The cakes contain no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colours, making them a permissible indulgence to be enjoyed whenever the need calls for it.
“We are constantly exploring new ways our fans can enjoy our beloved baked goods,” said Richard Link, senior director of Marketing, Entenmann’s.
“Our research shows that consumers are looking for indulgent, individually wrapped snacks for on-the-go snacking, so we wanted to deliver in the sweetest way.
“Our latest innovation, Entenmann's Donut Cakes are truly the perfect blend of an old-fashioned doughnut with a modern twist, and we can't wait to hear what our fans think.”
Available at select retailers across the US, it’s just another confirmation that Entenmann's … Goes Great With People.
The weather may have turned chilly, but Big G is turning up the heat with a full lineup of new and returning products that are sure to get the whole family into the holiday spirit.
Nothing kicks off the holidays more than the return of the fan-favourite Pillsbury Tree, Snowman and Reindeer Sugar Cookie Doughs. On shelves for a limited time. RRP: 2/$7.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Elf movie with the Betty Crocker Buddy the Elf Hat Sugar Cookie Mix Kit. It’s destined to be your next family seasonal activity and includes a cookie cutter, green sugar cookie mix, and yellow frosting. RRP: $5.99.
Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch cereal is returning to shelves to give you that classic Christmas cookie taste in every square. RRP: $5.69 (mid size); $7.17 (family size).
The holidays simply wouldn’t be the holidays without gingerbread, so Big G put the LÄRABAR spin on this festive treat. Cinnamon, ginger and allspice bring the zing, while a splash of vanilla guarantees a smooth finish. RRP: $9.09 for 6ct.
Not a fan of mincemeat? Pastel de Nata – traditional Portuguese custard tarts – look the part, so there’s no reason why they shouldn’t take the place of mince pies.
Nando’s has even made it convenient to get your hands on these custardy, flaky and buttery treats. The Naughty Nata has been on Nando’s menu for nearly 20 years and has been given a recipe update. Featuring a richer, more indulgent filling - a velvety custard featuring cinnamon and a hint of lemon – the new Natas have a deeper pastry case – more room for filling – but more layers as well.
The tarts are freshly baked in Nando’s restaurants every morning and are available in packs of four, so you can save some for later (as if!) or give them as a gift.
Priced at £2.40 for one or £8.50 for a pack of four, the Pastel de Natas are available at Nando’s UK and Ireland restaurants.
Pukka has teamed up with LadBaby and LadBabyMum – the family entertainment and comedy duo – to launch a limited edition Christmas Dinner pie, which will raise money for the Trussell Trust.
Cooked up by LadBaby in collaboration with Pukka’s development chefs, the Christmas Dinner pie features chicken, smoked bacon, chipolata sausages and sage & onion stuffing bathed in a roast chicken gravy and encased in golden puff pastry.
Set to taste good and do good, 10p from the sale of each pie is being donated to the Trussell Trust. The funds will be used to provide practical support to people facing hardship today and campaigning for a future where no one needs to use emergency food to get by.
“Ultimately, no-one in the UK should need to turn to a food bank as all of us should have enough money for the essentials,” said Sophie Carre, director of Public Engagement at the Trussell Trust.
“We’re extremely grateful to Ladbaby and Pukka for donating 10p from every pie which will help food banks within our network continue to provide the lifeline of emergency support for people facing hardship, while we work in the long term to build a future without the need for food banks.”
Known for their five consecutive record-breaking charity Christmas number one singles, Mark and Rox Hoyle (aka LadBaby and LadBabyMum) have a combined social media following of more than 13.3 million.
“We’ve been baking up our next Christmas hit and are absolutely buzzing to have joined forces with Pukka to cook up something special for the nation, supporting the incredible work of the Trussell Trust,” said LadBaby.
“The Christmas Dinner pie is seriously tasty and we hope it's going to be a dinner table no 1 this Christmas.”
Added Pukka MD Isaac Fisher, “Our customers have been asking for a festive pie from Pukka for quite some time and now it’s time to give the people what they want.
“From the get-go, we knew we wanted to work with LadBaby to make this happen. We’ve had their input every step of the way for a truly collaborative partnership, from developing and taste-testing recipes to using their design expertise for the packaging.”
“As well as having lots of fun with this launch, it’s important to us that we also give back – particularly at a time of year that can be difficult for many – which is why we are proud to be raising money for the Trussell Trust, supporting the fantastic work they do towards tackling hunger and poverty in the UK”.
Pukka’s Christmas Dinner pie is available at Tesco for a limited time for an RRP of £2.00.
