Pouding chômeur facts for kids
Pouding chômeur (pronounced poo-ding shoh-mur) means "poor man's pudding." This sweet dessert was first made by women working in factories. They created it during the early days of the Great Depression in Quebec, Canada.
Today, this pudding is a popular local treat. It is especially enjoyed during the "saison des sucres." This is the time when people collect sap from maple trees. You can often find it served at a sugar shack, which is a place where maple products are made. Even though it's popular then, it's not always made with maple syrup.
Contents
What is Pouding Chômeur?
Pouding chômeur starts with a simple cake batter. Before baking, a hot syrup or caramel is poured over the batter. As the cake bakes, it rises up through this liquid. The syrup then settles at the bottom of the pan. This creates a distinct, sweet layer under the cake.
How the Syrup is Made
The syrup or caramel for the pudding can be made from different kinds of sugar. People use brown sugar, white sugar, or even maple syrup. Sometimes, a mix of these sugars is used. This makes the bottom layer extra delicious.
A Simple Recipe from Hard Times
During the deepest part of the Great Depression, food was scarce. Because of this, people sometimes used stale bread instead of cake batter. This made the dessert even more affordable. It was a clever way to create a sweet treat with very little money.
Other Names for This Dessert
You might hear this dessert called a few different things. Sometimes it's known as pouding du chômeur. Other times, it's called pouding au chômeur. People also sometimes use the English word "pudding" instead of "pouding." No matter the name, it's still the same comforting dessert.
