This is the mother of all Christmas desserts. Hidden within the centre of the boozy fruit-packed batter, itself generously imbued with Armagnac, is a sweet surprise of molten, buttery, dark-chocolate sauce. The final regal touch is a crowning of gold-dusted apple rings adorning the outside.
For something a tad different to the typical pud but still a classic flavour combination, try this pear and ginger variation. A favourite for those who prefer lighter, fruitier tastes, it also contains apricots and honey, finished off with a slug of English perry and Somerset cider brandy.
Selfridges Selection Pear and Ginger Pudding, 450g, £12.99; selfridges.com
If provenance is of importance, you can do no better than this organic option from the Bamford family's award-winning Daylesford Farm. One for the traditionalists, the pud is made by hand on the Gloucestershire farm according to the family recipe, which includes stout and rum as its alcohols of choice.
Heston from Waitrose Persian Spiced Christmas Pudding
Heston Blumenthal can be relied on to come up with unusual new takes for his Christmas range. Here he has been inspired by the Middle East, with a Persian-spiced concoction incorporating flavours typical of the region such as pomegranate, pistachio, orange and rose water, topped off in flamboyantly festive style with edible copper glitter.
Heston from Waitrose Persian Spiced Christmas Pudding, 800g, £14; waitrose.com
Figgy's Christmas Pudding
Figgy's entire business is geared around this festive speciality, which it makes by hand from its small bakery in Devon. Its finely tuned recipe uses ingredients sourced from local producers where possible and incorporates a hearty combination of ale and fine brandy.
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