‘Unemployed’ pudding

I came across the concept of pudding chômeur just the other day. I asked my Canadian-born colleague about whether he has ever had it before but I think it was a bit before his time though obviously people still make it to replicate the great taste of childhood! Turns out it is quite an evocative dish and, thus, one of my favorite kinds of desserts. Plus, who doesn’t love maple syrup?

Pudding chômeur is literally translated as unemployed or poor man’s pudding and first became popular during the Great Depression. However, as this great blog points out, it is strange to think that maple syrup or sugar was that accessible or cheap during that time. Maybe someone has some more informed (than mine) perspective on the subject?

This pudding (or pouding) is essentially a sponge-y treacle pudding, bubbling with caramel or maple syrup. It was – and is – popular in Quebec and among French Canadians as a whole. It even has a facebook page!

As ever with traditional recipes, everyone’s mother or grandmother or sister makes this slightly differently but here is a basic recipe:

You will need:

• 540 ml maple syrup (1 tin 18 oz)
• 540 ml cream (35%)
• 125 ml of room temperature butter (1 / 2 cup)
• 125 ml sugar (1 / 2 cup)
• 2 eggs
• 500 ml flour (2 cups)
• 5 ml baking powder (1 tsp)
• A pinch of salt
• A tsp of vanilla extract
• 125 ml milk (1 / 2 cup)

1. Preheat oven to 200 ° C (400 ° F)
2. In a large heavy saucepan, bring  maple syrup and cream to boil. Watch this carefully so it does not burn or overflow.
3. Let boil for 3 to 4 minutes then remove from heat. It will continue to caramelize on its own.
4. Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar at medium speed, until smooth.
5. Add eggs and vanilla and beat  for about 2 more minutes.
6. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
7. Stir dry ingredients into  the egg mixture, alternating with gradually adding in milk.
8. Pour the  maple syrup mixture into a rectangular pan, then pour the batter mix over it.
9. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

A nice post to do before breakfast, just to stimulate the appetite :).