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Dessert Recipes

Indulgent British dessert recipes inspired by Delia Smith — from sticky toffee pudding to trifle and crumbles.

A Glorious Winter Fruit Salad with Spiced SyrupDessert

A Glorious Winter Fruit Salad with Spiced Syrup

Discover the joy of a truly refreshing winter fruit salad, steeped in a warmly spiced syrup. It’s the perfect light counterpoint to a rich winter meal.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 10 mins (for the syrup)·Easy
How to Make the Perfect Plum CrumbleDessert

How to Make the Perfect Plum Crumble

There are few desserts more comforting than a classic plum crumble, with its sharp, sweet fruit and crunchy, buttery topping. Here is my definitive guide to getting it just right, every single time.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 40-45 mins·Easy
My Ultimate Blackberry and Apple CrumbleDessert

My Ultimate Blackberry and Apple Crumble

There is perhaps no greater signal that autumn has arrived than a bubbling, golden fruit crumble. This recipe for blackberry and apple is a true British classic, and I will show you how to get it right.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 40-45 mins·Easy
A Truly Traditional Apple and Blackberry CrumbleDessert

A Truly Traditional Apple and Blackberry Crumble

There is nothing quite so comforting as a traditional fruit crumble, bubbling hot from the oven. My method ensures a perfectly crisp, buttery topping over tender, sweet fruit.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 35-40 mins·Easy
A Classic Baked Vanilla CheesecakeDessert

A Classic Baked Vanilla Cheesecake

There are few desserts as universally loved as a classic baked cheesecake, and this recipe guarantees a sublime, creamy texture. Follow these steps precisely for a perfect, crack-free result that will become a firm family favourite.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 1 hour 15 mins, plus at least 6 hours cooling and chilling·Intermediate
A Classic No-Bake Strawberry CheesecakeDessert

A Classic No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

There is something utterly joyful about a classic strawberry cheesecake, especially one that requires no baking. This recipe is a masterclass in achieving a perfect set and a beautifully creamy texture.

Prep: 25 mins, plus at least 4 hours chilling·Cook: 5 mins·Easy
A Truly Classic Baked Chocolate CheesecakeDessert

A Truly Classic Baked Chocolate Cheesecake

For a truly show-stopping dessert, a baked chocolate cheesecake is hard to beat. This recipe guarantees a perfectly rich and creamy result, teaching you the essential techniques for success.

Prep: 25 mins, plus chilling·Cook: 1 hour 15 mins, plus cooling·Intermediate
My Classic Lemon and Ricotta CheesecakeDessert

My Classic Lemon and Ricotta Cheesecake

A wonderfully light and elegant alternative to the classic cream cheese version. This lemon and ricotta cheesecake offers a beautiful, slightly grainy texture and a zesty finish.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 1 hour, plus cooling·Intermediate
The Ultimate Banoffee CheesecakeDessert

The Ultimate Banoffee Cheesecake

This is my definitive recipe for a showstopping Banoffee Cheesecake. It brings together the beloved flavours of banana and toffee with the creamiest of cheesecake fillings for a truly special dessert.

Prep: 30 mins·Cook: 10 mins·Intermediate
A Truly Classic Baked CheesecakeDessert

A Truly Classic Baked Cheesecake

For anyone who has ever felt daunted by the prospect of a baked cheesecake, this recipe is for you. It's a truly reliable method for achieving a perfectly smooth, creamy, and utterly delicious result every time.

Prep: 25 mins, plus chilling·Cook: 1 hour 15 mins, plus cooling time·Intermediate
My Classic Summer PuddingDessert

My Classic Summer Pudding

There is surely no more iconic British dessert than the Summer Pudding, a true celebration of the season's bounty. This recipe ensures a perfectly set, vibrantly coloured pudding every single time.

Prep: 25 mins, plus overnight chilling·Cook: 10 mins·Easy
Classic Apple and Almond PuddingDessert

Classic Apple and Almond Pudding

A comforting classic, this Apple and Almond Pudding combines soft, tangy apples with a rich, nutty frangipane-style sponge. It's the perfect finale to a Sunday lunch.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 45-50 mins·Intermediate
The Ultimate Classic Christmas PuddingDessert

The Ultimate Classic Christmas Pudding

There's simply nothing quite like a homemade Christmas Pudding to crown your festive feast. This recipe ensures a rich, dark, and utterly delicious result, steeped in tradition and flavour.

Prep: 30 mins (plus overnight soaking)·Cook: 8-9 hours (initial steaming), 2 hours (re-steaming)·Intermediate
My Classic Bread and Butter PuddingDessert

My Classic Bread and Butter Pudding

There is surely no greater comfort than a properly made Bread and Butter Pudding. Follow my guide for a truly superlative version, rich with custard and golden-topped.

Prep: 20 mins, plus 30 mins soaking·Cook: 35-40 mins·Easy
Eve's Pudding: A Truly Traditional British TreatDessert

Eve's Pudding: A Truly Traditional British Treat

Discover the joy of a proper British pudding with this classic Eve's Pudding recipe. Soft, tangy apples are baked beneath a light, fluffy Victoria sponge for the ultimate comfort food.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 40-45 mins·Easy
A Truly Comforting Chocolate Bread and Butter PuddingDessert

A Truly Comforting Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding

This is not just any bread and butter pudding; it's a deeply comforting version enriched with dark chocolate. A simple, classic dessert made utterly irresistible.

Prep: 20 mins, plus 30 mins standing time·Cook: 40-45 mins·Easy
My Ultimate Sticky Toffee PuddingDessert

My Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding

This is, quite simply, the definitive recipe for a truly magnificent Sticky Toffee Pudding. A feather-light date sponge is drenched in a wickedly rich toffee sauce.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 35-40 mins·Easy
Creamy Baked Rice Pudding, The Traditional WayDessert

Creamy Baked Rice Pudding, The Traditional Way

There is perhaps no dessert more comforting than a proper, slow-baked rice pudding with a golden skin. This is my definitive method for achieving that wonderfully creamy texture we all adore.

Prep: 5 mins·Cook: 2 hours - 2 hours 30 mins·Easy
Little Sticky Toffee PuddingsDessert

Little Sticky Toffee Puddings

These individual sticky toffee puddings are the ultimate comfort dessert, combining a light, date-filled sponge with a rich, buttery toffee sauce. This is a truly reliable recipe for a guaranteed success every time.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 20-22 mins·Intermediate
My Classic Bread and Butter PuddingDessert

My Classic Bread and Butter Pudding

There is perhaps no dessert more comforting than a properly made bread and butter pudding. My recipe ensures a beautifully set custard with a crisp, golden top.

Prep: 20 mins, plus 30 mins standing·Cook: 40-45 mins·Easy
My Classic Sticky Gingerbread PuddingsDessert

My Classic Sticky Gingerbread Puddings

A truly comforting and classic British dessert. These individual gingerbread puddings are wonderfully moist, deeply spiced, and drenched in a simple, sticky treacle sauce.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 25-30 mins·Intermediate
A Truly Magical Lemon Surprise PuddingDessert

A Truly Magical Lemon Surprise Pudding

There are some puddings that possess a little touch of kitchen magic, and this is certainly one of them. A beautifully light sponge conceals a pool of sharp, tangy lemon sauce beneath.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 45-50 mins·Easy
The Proper Queen of PuddingsDessert

The Proper Queen of Puddings

A truly classic British pudding, this recipe shows you how to master the three distinct layers: a soft custard base, a sharp fruit jam, and a crisp meringue crown. It is a lesson in thrift, texture, and taste all in one dish.

Prep: 25 mins·Cook: 50 mins·Intermediate
My Foolproof Melting Chocolate PuddingsDessert

My Foolproof Melting Chocolate Puddings

There are few desserts that possess the same dramatic flair as a melting chocolate pudding. With my step-by-step guide, you can achieve that perfect molten centre with confidence.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 12-14 mins·Intermediate
My Ultimate Sticky Toffee PuddingDessert

My Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding

A truly classic British pudding, this is my definitive recipe for a dark, squidgy, and utterly irresistible Sticky Toffee Pudding. Paired with its own buttery toffee sauce, it's a dessert that never fails to comfort and delight.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 35-40 mins·Intermediate
The Perfect PavlovaDessert

The Perfect Pavlova

A Pavlova is a thing of real beauty, with its crisp, snowy-white shell and marshmallow-soft interior. Follow these instructions precisely for a dessert that never fails to impress.

Prep: 20 mins·Cook: 1 hour 15 mins, plus cooling time·Intermediate