Almond pudding facts for kids

Almond pudding is a delicious dessert that's like a creamy milk pudding or a soft custard. It gets its special flavor and thickness from ground almonds, and sometimes a little extra almond flavor is added. You can find different kinds of almond pudding in many places around the world, including the Middle East, America, Europe, Turkey, Persia, India, and China.

Almond Pudding in America

Almond pudding recipes first appeared in American cookbooks a long time ago. One of the very first American cookbooks was called American Cookery, written by Amelia Simmons in 1796.

Early American Recipes

Amelia Simmons' recipe was for a "cream almong pudding." It was made with eggs, nutmeg, and cream. Instead of baking it, this pudding was cooked by boiling it in a cloth bag. People would then serve it with melted butter and sugar on top.

Almond Pudding in Britain

In Britain, almond pudding has also been a popular dessert for centuries.

Ipswich Almond Pudding

An old recipe called "Ipswich almond pudding" can be found in an 18th-century cookbook titled The Art of Cookery by Hannah Glasse. This pudding is a type of bread pudding that uses blanched almonds (almonds with their skins removed) to make it thick. It was often baked inside a light, flaky pastry called puff pastry.

Other British Variations

Another cookbook author, Elizabeth Moxon, also made bread puddings thicker with blanched almonds. Her recipes sometimes used butter, suet (a type of fat), or marrow (a soft tissue from bones). These puddings were often baked in small tins. In some versions, she would skip rose water and orange flower water, and instead add cinnamon and a bit of lemon peel for flavor. A sweet sauce made with wine and sugar could be served with the pudding.

English Almond Pudding by Escoffier

A famous French chef named Auguste Escoffier had a recipe he called "English almond pudding." This was a custard made with eggs and cream, thickened with ground almonds. It was cooked gently in a bain-marie (a water bath), which helps the pudding cook evenly and prevents it from burning.

Almond Pudding in India

In Indian cuisine, almond pudding is known as badam kheer. This version is usually simpler, made with just milk, sugar, and ground almonds. It's often flavored with cardamom, a spice that gives it a warm, sweet taste.