Cherry Bakewell Pudding

The good news is this delicious Cherry Bakewell Pudding recipe is vegetarian, and with some substitutions, it can be gluten-free and dairy-free.

Cherry Bakewell Pudding is a mouthwatering variation of the beloved British Cherry Bakewell Tart. The tart is made with a shortcrust pastry base that is filled with a thin layer of jam and a rich almond frangipane topping.

This pudding omits the pastry and has more filling; it specifically uses cherries, has the same rich almond frangipane, and is very quick to prepare. An added bonus to our bakewell is that it doesn’t require hours of pitting cherries or any stovetop cooking. It’s the quickest bakewell pudding and the most delicious.

With its comforting warmth and irresistible aroma, the pudding is a comforting dessert that evokes memories of cozy afternoons and indulgent treats.

What’s To Love?

💕 Doesn’t require any complex cooking skills.
💕 The fruit base is easy to prepare and doesn’t require the stovetop.
💕 No hard-to-find ingredients.
💕 Makes a great dessert for almost any occasion or any time of the day.
💕 Perfect for kids and adults alike.
💕 Tastes as good as it looks.
💕 The frangipane is fluffy and moist, while the cherry base adds a sweet but tangy burst of flavor. The combination of the almond and cherry flavors is heavenly and often described as a match made in dessert heaven.
💕 The almond frangipane filling adds a rich, nutty taste to the dessert, while the cherry jam provides a refreshing, fruity element. The contrast between the sweet and slightly tangy flavors is simply irresistible.

Have you already tried Cherry Bakewell Pudding? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Bakewell Origin

The classic Bakewell Tart originated in the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire, England. Bakewell Pudding’s origins can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was first created by accident.

Legend has it that a cook at the Rutland Arms in Bakewell misunderstood the recipe for a jam tart and accidentally spread the almond mixture on top of the jam. The result was a delightful and unique dessert that quickly gained popularity among the locals.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Compote — use cherry compote because it is not too sweet, has a lot of whole fruit, is chunky, and is slightly syrupy. Using compote is why we can omit the stovetop cooking process.
• Cherries — use a can of pitted black cherries in light syrup for the best flavor. We only use the cherries; the syrup should be discarded.
• Jam — jam adds sweetness; we use black cherry jam to keep the overall cherry theme going.
• Butter — regular butter is recommended for the best results. We use unsalted butter, which needs to be melted before preparation and then cooled to room temperature.
• Sugar — use golden caster sugar for this recipe.
• Eggs — medium to large are best for this recipe.
• All-Purpose Flour — sometimes referred to as plain flour.
• Baking Powder — helps with the fluffiness.
• Almond Flour — one of the key ingredients; almond flour is what makes the bakewell pudding so delicious.
• Slivered Almonds — use slivered almonds for aesthetic purposes only. They are added just before baking the pudding.
• Almond Extract — we suggest using one teaspoon of almond extract for this recipe. If you prefer a more intense almond taste, feel free to add another teaspoon.
• Powdered Sugar — we use this powdered sugar (icing sugar) for aesthetic reasons only; it adds a lovely final touch to this classic pudding.

NOTE: The combination of morello cherry compote, a can of pitted black cherries minus the syrup, and cherry jam produces a mixture that’s not overly sweet and has a slight tartness.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Cherries — while canned cherries are convenient, we understand you may prefer to use fresh cherries. Once the juice has been drained, the stoned cherries weigh approximately 300g; use the equivalent for fresh cherries.
• Butter — dairy-free butter is a great substitute.
• Flour — rice flour is a great alternative to all-purpose flour, especially if you’re allergic to it. For this recipe, substitute equal amounts of rice flour with 1/2 teaspoon of guar gum.
• Almond extract — if you don’t enjoy the almond extract, we suggest replacing it with vanilla extract.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the Cherry Bakewell Pudding with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Instructions – Overview

The Cherry Bakewell Pudding is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

▶︎ To make the base, begin by adding the jam, can of drained cherries, and compote into a mixing bowl. Mix gently without bursting the cherries. Then, grease the baking dish, then pour in the cherry mix and spread evenly.

▶︎ Preheat your oven to Gas 4, 350°F, 175°C.

▶︎ To make the topping, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a mixing bowl, then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, salt, and almond extract, then gently mix with a hand mixer or food processor together.

▶︎ Pour the pudding batter over the cherry mix, then sprinkle slivered almonds over the top. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until the pudding is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean. Once cooled, sieve powdered sugar over the top.

NOTE: When baked, the cherry bakewell pudding is golden brown with a slightly crisp topping, mainly due to the flaked almonds.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Cherry Bakewell Pudding? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• 21cm Square Dish
• kMix – or this award-winning hand mixer
• Mixing Bowl – if you’re using a hand mixer, you will need bowls to combine the ingredients.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.

If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then might love this Kmix for mixing, whisking, creaming, and beating. Sometimes, the Kmix is a better tool than a hand mixer; it’s good at lightening the load. It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think it’s a great asset for all kitchens.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Cherry Bakewell Pudding is frequently eaten as a standalone dessert, but can easily be paired. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ If it’s warmed through, then we often pair it with our homemade Perfectionists Thick Custard.

▶︎ A close second is our Whipped Cream.

▶︎ Another great option is our Vanilla Ice Cream, which can be eaten together hot or cold.

▶︎ What you drink when eating the pudding counts too. Drinking it with a cup of tea, such as Earl Gray, or a flavorful coffee to balance the sweetness with a warm beverage is a must.

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⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Cherry Bakewell Pudding every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.