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Home » Recipes » Desserts

Published: Dec 13, 2018 · Modified: Oct 21, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Gingerbread Pudding

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You know what happens when a classic pudding and gingerbread flavor come together to make one delicious dessert? Magic --- and holiday magic at that, which is the best kind. But, really, imagine a rich, creamy custard filled with warm gingerbread spices. Sounds amazing, right? You definitely need this gingerbread pudding on your holiday table.

Front view of gingerbread pudding with gingerbread house.
Jump to:
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Looking for Some More Holiday Favorites?
  • 📖 Recipe

Besides being a tasty, festive treat, I’m a huge fan of this gingerbread pudding's versatility. I typically serve this pudding as pictured, and it's always a hit. This homemade pudding is so luscious on its own that it doesn't require much to impress.

But if you want to get creative, this gingerbread pudding can transform into many different desserts. Try layering cubed pumpkin bread with this pudding and whipped cream for a fun holiday trifle or pouring it into a ginger snap crust for an easy no-bake pie. This gingerbread pudding also makes an amazing cake or cupcake filling. Whether you serve this gingerbread pudding traditionally or as part of a larger dessert, you can’t go wrong with this recipe.

Bonus: If you love this gingerbread pudding, make sure to also put my gingerbread tiramisu on your holiday dessert list!

A view of the gingerbread pudding slightly from the top with a gingerbread house.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let's get into the details. To start, we bring whole milk, heavy cream, dark brown sugar, molasses and cornstarch to a simmer. Some pudding recipes tell you to bring the mixture to a boil, but that could potentially turn into a huge mistake. Trust me. I learned from experience.

Before making a homemade vanilla pudding for the first times years ago, I saw several reputable recipes call for boiling the milk and cream, so I brought the mixture to a boil when it suddenly curdled on me. What? Why? I didn't understand.

After turning to Google, I discovered boiling milk can cause it to separate. Instead, you should keep a milk mixture to only simmer for stability. That would've been good to know, huh? At that point, the pudding was unsalvageable. I had to toss that batch and make another. All that food wasted. Sigh.

Fortunately, I discovered the secret to making a curdle-free pudding, so the next batch was great. But don't be the old me. No one wants curdled pudding.

In a separate bowl, we whisk together plenty of egg yolks with our gingerbread spices and vanilla extract. Once the cream mixture simmers, we spoon in a little at a time with our yolks. This prevents our eggs from scrambling when we return everything to the stove. We don't have to scoop in the entire cream mixture --- just enough that it warms the yolks.

Now we return everything to the stove and cook until it thickens. Once the mixture reaches a pudding consistency, we turn off the heat, add a little butter for good measure and refrigerate for a few hours. We're now ready to dig in and enjoy the most festive pudding you'll ever taste. True story.

Aerial view of the gingerbread pudding

Perfect Pairing

When it comes to pudding, you can't go wrong with an imperial stout, which is my favorite type of dessert beer. The high alcohol content gives imperial stouts residual sweetness that makes them perfect with desserts. Specifically, I recommend Southern Tier Brewing Choklat Oranj Stout. And, yes, that's the correct spelling. Weird spelling but delicious beer. The chocolate and orange flavors complement the gingerbread flavor nicely.

When I serve this gingerbread pudding with wine, I always default to a tawny port. The dried fruit and caramel-like notes match beautifully with the molasses, and those rich flavors are delicious with the spices.

I hope you get jolly with a batch of this delicious gingerbread pudding.

Cheers!

P.S. See that cute, little gingerbread house in the background? That's my favorite Christmas decoration from my childhood. A few years ago, my mom gave it to me, and I always get so excited to put it on my mantle during the holidays. You can remove the roof to find a candle inside that smells amazing, but I never burn it because I want to preserve it. Isn't the holiday season the best? ❤️?

Side view of the gingerbread pudding with a gingerbread house.

Looking for Some More Holiday Favorites?

  • Gingerbread waffles
  • Cranberry-apple cider sangria
  • Spiced-brandied cranberry sauce
  • Soft gingerbread men cookies with vanilla-orange icing
  • Gingerbread toffee
  • Gingerbread ice cream

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

Front view of gingerbread pudding with gingerbread house.

Gingerbread Pudding

Meet your new favorite holiday dessert. This creamy, luscious gingerbread pudding is full of warm spices and rich molasses — perfect for any holiday table.
5 from 84 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 416kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg preferably freshly grated
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter cut into small cubes

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together whole milk, heavy cream, dark brown sugar, cornstarch and molasses. Constantly whisk over medium heat until it reaches a simmer, and the mixture slightly thickens. Remove from heat. The cornstarch will initially look lumpy, but keep whisking, and it'll smooth out. Do not boil. 
  • In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks with vanilla extract, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves for about three minutes. Add a ladle of the cream mixture to yolks and whisk constantly. Once it's incorporated, add another scoop and repeat once or twice. Pour the cream-egg mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the cream and return to heat. Continue to whisk constantly until the mixture thickens to a pudding consistency. 
  • Remove from heat and add cubed butter, stirring to help it melt. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl, directly cover the surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled. Enjoy! 

Notes

  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1dish | Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 202mg | Sodium: 98mg | Sugar: 27g
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Comments

    5 from 84 votes (72 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. LESLEY says

    December 04, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    I just made half of this recipe and it was wonderful. Thanks so much for posting it. After looking for such a recipe for a few years, my search is now over.

    Reply
  2. Renu says

    December 17, 2018 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    I have never heard of Gingerbread pudding , but I just loved this one. My son is a fan of gingerbread and I think he will love this one. A must try.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 18, 2018 at 1:46 am

      I hope you both love it!

      Reply
  3. Krista Price says

    December 17, 2018 at 1:13 pm

    5 stars
    Would it be too much to dip a gingerbread cookie into this gingerbread pudding? Asking for a friend. But no seriously, this sounds delicious and I can't wait to make it for Christmas dinner! Also, your gingerbread house in the background is stunning! 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 18, 2018 at 1:46 am

      Not at all! ? And thank you!

      Reply
  4. Kelly Anthony says

    December 17, 2018 at 2:15 am

    5 stars
    I love all things gingerbread so I'm sure this gingerbread pudding will not disappoint. Your ideas on different ways to use this pudding are great. My favorite is the pie using gingersnaps.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 18, 2018 at 1:45 am

      Thanks! I always love a good pudding pie.

      Reply
  5. April says

    December 16, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    5 stars
    I knew that the combination of a classic pudding and gingerbread flavor is incredible but not that it's magical, too! 🙂 I do know it now so definitely giving it a try - thank you for this Christmas magic!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 18, 2018 at 1:45 am

      The more you know! ?

      Reply
  6. Chef Mireille says

    December 15, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    I am a sucker for any luscious creamy pudding - give me pannacotta, custard , flan and I will take it over a cake any day so this pudding is my kind of treat!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 16, 2018 at 8:40 pm

      I'm so there with you!

      Reply
  7. Jacqueline Debono says

    December 15, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    5 stars
    Fantabulous sounding dessert. I adore gingerbread especially at Christmas and this pudding sounds like a winner.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 16, 2018 at 8:32 pm

      Thank you! I'm biased, but I definitely think it is. ?

      Reply
  8. Bev says

    December 15, 2018 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    I love your adorable gingerbread house in your beautiful photos. This pudding sounds delicious! I love the idea of putting it in between layers for a cake.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 16, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  9. Linda says

    December 14, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow! I've never thought of gingerbread pudding but this makes any holiday parties more festive. And noted on heating the milk too! Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 16, 2018 at 7:38 pm

      You're welcome! Hope you love it.

      Reply
  10. Michelle Minnaar says

    December 14, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Love this pudding recipe! You don't see a lot of gingerbread puddings and this is great for the holidays!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 16, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks! I totally agree. ?

      Reply
  11. Alicia says

    December 14, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    Yum! This is something different. I wouldn't have thought of gingerbread pudding. Must be very satisfying!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 16, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      It really is! I hope you get a chance to try it.

      Reply
  12. Anna Hettick says

    December 14, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    Ok that pudding looks super! I never make pudding but my kids used to LOVE it when they were smaller! Maybe I'll make this as a special treat this weekend!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 14, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      I think that'd be a fun way to spend the weekend!

      Reply
  13. Nicole Triebe says

    December 14, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    this sounds perfect for after dinner! Your photography and styling is stunning too!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 14, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      Thanks so much! I always think holiday photos are the most fun. ?

      Reply
  14. Stine Mari says

    December 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    We usually serve chocolate pudding for dessert after our Christmas Eve dinner. However, why not spice it up with this luscious gingerbread pudding, it looks so creamy and yummy!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 14, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      Thank you! I think it's a fun twist for the holidays.

      Reply
  15. Gloria says

    December 13, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    5 stars
    What a great idea. I am such a gingerbread lover, and so is my grandson. I think I will have to make a batch of this. He will be thrilled when I bring this out for dessert Christmas Eve. Maybe I will leave some out for Santa too.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 14, 2018 at 5:27 pm

      Aww, I think that would be way too cute!

      Reply
Newer Comments »

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Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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    Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
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