Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding Recipe (2024)

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Persimmon Pudding is a traditional American dessert that is as old as America itself. This rich, decadent dessert is great to enjoy around the Fall and Winter holiday seasons. If you have not tried this Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding Recipe before, you are in for a real treat!

Although I am not quite sure if Persimmon Pudding originated from the South, it is often enjoyed here and folks have been making it since before the 1900s. Fall is the time that the Native American Persimmon Trees’ fruit ripens, and with that comes many persimmons desserts. Out of all the Persimmon desserts, this one may be my favorite.

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What Is Persimmon Pudding?

Persimmon pudding is an old classic American Dessert. It combines the fresh pulp from persimmons, ( You can use any type of persimmon, but I prefer to use the Wild American Persimmons) egg, milk, and flour mixture.

It has cinnamon and butter that make a gooey delicious dessert that is truly a one-of-a-kind hit.

The texture will remind you of fudgy brownies where the edges are chewy and the inside is soft and gooey. It is lightly spiced and has hits of caramel.

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It is one of those vintage recipes that not many people you know will have tried or had before. One bite though, and it will be a big hit.

It is typically served warm, with vanilla ice cream on top, whipped cream, Caramel sauce, or Hard Sauce.

Where Did Persimmon Pudding Originate?

Persimmon Pudding is an American dessert. It has its roots in Native American cuisine which used native fruits to make loaves of bread. Although this pudding is similar to English breakfast puddings such as English Toffee Pudding, Fig pudding, or Quince pudding, this one originated here in the US.

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I am not for certain what part of the country this originated in, but I do know that the American Persimmon is native to the Southern US and we have always had the trees on our property growing up.

It is quite possible that the dessert was adapted from the Native American Indians and spread to the North and South. Either way, it is a delicious dessert that is quickly becoming my favorite recipe.

There are even festivals that are dedicated to the often unheard-of but interesting fruit. Two, in particular, are in North Carolina and as well in as in Mitchell, Indiana.

The First and Most Important Step

The first and most important step before we make this old-fashioned persimmon pudding recipe is to make sure you have ripe persimmons. I have a whole post dedicated to just this topic.

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The main reason this is important is you do not want to eat an unripe persimmon. American Persimmons are Astringent as opposed to some of the Asian varieties like the Fuyu Persimmon, which is non-astringent.

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Both types of persimmons can be used, but I prefer to use the American Classic for this traditional dessert.

If you don’t have access to American Persimmons though, just use ripe Hachiya persimmons or Fuyu Persimmons that you can often find in your local grocery stores.

Check out this post on Asian versus American Persimmons for more information about the two and their differences.

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The Next Step is How To Make Persimmon Pulp

After you have made sure that you have ripe persimmons, the next step, no matter which variety you are using, is to make the persimmon pulp. I have a whole post dedicated to that process as well.

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Once you have extracted your persimmon pulp, you will need 2 cups of pulp for this particular recipe. You can divide up the rest of your persimmon pulp, put it in plastic freezer-safe bags or plastic freezer-safe containers, and freeze it. It will last for up to a year like that.

How To Make Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding

First, let’s start with the ingredients you will need

Ingredients:

Fresh Persimmons

As mentioned earlier, I use native American Persimmons for my persimmon pudding recipe but you can use the Asian varieties if you prefer. You will need 2 cups of puréed pulp.

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In my opinion, I would pick up (harvest) enough Persimmons to make more pulp than you need. That way when you go through the effort of processing the pulp you will have pulp that you can freeze for more recipes. A 1/4 of a 5-gallon bucket will produce about 8 cups of pulp.

Flour

You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour.

Sugar

I normally use white sugar for this recipe but some people will use brown sugar. Brown sugar has more caramel notes and may change the texture slightly. Either way, you will need 2 1/2 cups of sugar.

Eggs

You will need 2 large eggs.

Milk

You will need 2 1/4 cups of whole milk.

Butter

You will need 4 tablespoons of melted butter.

Baking Soda

You will need 1/2 teaspoon of Baking Soda.

Baking Powder

You will need 2 teaspoons of Baking Powder.

Ground Cinnamon

You will need 1/2 teaspoon of ground Cinnamon.

Nutmeg

You will need 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.

Vanilla Extract

I prefer to use Vanilla extract versus Vanilla flavoring. You will need 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Salt

I prefer to use Sea Salt or Kosher salt. If you use table salt it can impart an off flavor in recipes when cooking with it. You will need 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Directions

Before we begin the recipe, you will need to preheat the oven. Set the oven to 325 degrees F

In a Large Bowl or large mixing bowl, mix the persimmon pulp, sugar, eggs, and baking soda. I use a hand mixer on low speed for this.

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Next, add the dry ingredients. (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt)

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Then add in the reaming wet ingredients. (vanilla, milk, and melted butter).

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Again, I use the hand mixer for this step. You can use a stand mixer as well.

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If you do not have either one, you can just use a large spoon. The batter should be a little thinner than the cake batter, similar to the consistency of Pumpkin Pie Filling.

Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

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Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.

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Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.

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Pro Tip: If you want to elevate this dish, try adding in some chopped pecans and some orange zest.

FAQ’s

How Can I Store Leftover Persimmon Pudding?

Store the leftover Persimmon Pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can You Freeze Leftover Persimmon Pudding?

Yes, you can freeze leftover Persimmon Pudding by cutting it into squares and wrapping each square in plastic wrap. Then place the wrapped squares in a freezer bag or plastic freezer container.

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Next time you are looking for that perfect dessert during the holiday season that not many people may have had before, give this Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding a try. If you liked this recipe or have a question, leave us a comment below.

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Yield: 8

Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding

Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding Recipe (23)

Persimmon Pudding is a traditional American dessert that is as old as America itself. This rich, decadent dessert is great to enjoy around the Fall and Winter holiday seasons. If you have not tried this Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding Recipe before, you are in for a real treat!

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time55 minutes

Total Time1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of Persimmon pulp
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups of white granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups of whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons of melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt

Instructions

  1. Before we begin the recipe, you will need to preheat the oven. Set the oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. In a Large Bowl or large mixing bowl, mix together the persimmon pulp, sugar, eggs, and backing soda. I use a hand mixer on low speed for this.
  3. Next, add the dry ingredients. (flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt) Then add in the reaming wet ingredients. (vanilla, milk, and melted butter). Again, I use the hand mixer for this step. You can use a stand mixer as well. If you do not have either one, you can just use a large spoon. The batter should be a little thinner than the cake batter, similar to the consistency of Pumpkin Pie Filling.
  4. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  5. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.

Notes

Pro Tip: If you want to elevate this dish, try adding in some chopped pecans and some orange zest.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 508Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 361mgCarbohydrates: 101gFiber: 3gSugar: 73gProtein: 7g

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Old-Fashioned Persimmon Pudding Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why add baking soda to persimmon pulp? ›

When persimmons are beaten to a pulp, tannins form complexes with carbohydrates, causing the pulp to stiffen to a gel-like consistency. When baking soda is added, a reaction with the moist and slightly acidic persimmon creates carbon dioxide (CO2), which also plays a role in encouraging the pulp to thicken.

Why did my persimmon pudding turn black? ›

But after baking, this pudding will turn dark brown. Don't worry! That's perfectly normal. It's the reaction between the pigments in the persimmon and the alkaline baking soda in the batter that creates this browning.

What is the easiest way to make persimmon pulp? ›

A food mill will make faster work of this if you have a large persimmon harvest. Or you can put the fruit with the peel in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.

What does persimmon pudding taste like? ›

Sweet but subtle, persimmon pudding often contains hints of nutmeg or cinnamon, added spices that some say resemble the natural taste of the fruit.

How do you get the astringency taste out of persimmons? ›

Ethanol treatment is a method of reducing astringency in persimmon by spraying the fruit with a 30% to 40% ethanol solution or by packing the fruit in a sealed container with ethanol or sake vapors for 10 to 14 days at 50°F to 59°F (10°C to 15°C) (Figure 10).

Why is the inside of my persimmons so dark? ›

The mechanism of this alteration has been studied in depth, and the oxidation of tannins has been reported as a key process. Other factors frequently associated with internal browning is storage under controlled or modified atmospheres; in this case the flesh browning occurs mainly in the flesh of the fruit.

When should you not eat persimmon? ›

The fruit might cause allergic reactions in some people, but this is uncommon. Eating the fruit in very large amounts might cause blockage of the intestines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of Japanese persimmon during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

What happens if you eat an unripe persimmon? ›

If the taste wasn't enough, people should steer clear of unripe persimmons because the tannins, stomach acid and indigestible plant material can form a bezoar: a hard mass that can lead to gastric obstruction and surgery.

Why do persimmons make my mouth weird? ›

Persimmons contain tannins, a type of plant compound that can make your mouth feel dry, chalky, or puckered. Unripe persimmons have a high tannin content, leading to this sensation. Fully ripe persimmons have fewer tannins, resulting in a sweeter taste and less mouth discomfort.

What is a substitute for persimmon pulp? ›

Persimmon pulp can not only be made into persimmony baked goods, but it can be slipped into non-persimmony baked goods as a fat substitute. You may know that just about any kind of fruit pulp will work as a fat substitute in baking. Traditional fruit purees include prunes, apples, and bananas.

Can you freeze persimmons for later use? ›

Persimmons freeze very well, so I tend to pick as much fruit as possible to store away for the year. To prepare your fruit for the freezer, rinse off the skin of the fruit and lightly pat dry. This is a delicate process as the fruit can be very soft.

What months are persimmons in season? ›

Just be sure to catch them while you can! They are in season from October through January. What to look for: Two common varieties are Hachiya and Fuyu; they differ slightly in appearance but have unique textures and flavors. Hachiya persimmons are round with one pointy end (think: super-sized acorn).

Is sharon fruit the same as persimmon? ›

Sharon fruit (also known as persimmon, kaki or diospyros) looks like an orange tomato and tastes like a cross between a mango and a pumpkin. It can be eaten like a plum and makes a delicious snack eaten whole straight from the fruit bowl.

What fruit is persimmon similar to? ›

A good persimmon at its peak will taste sweet, mild, and rich. Many people have described its flavor as “honey-like.” Its texture is similar to that of an apricot and its skin is a bit tougher than an apple's.

Are persimmons good for you? ›

Nutrition. Persimmons are a good source of vitamins A and C as well as manganese, which helps the blood to clot. They also have other antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of many serious health conditions including cancer and stroke.

What are the benefits of baking soda on fruit? ›

The US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture and other scientists agree: use a cold water soak with baking soda to effectively help remove dirt, chemical residue, and other unwanted materials from your fresh vegetables and fruits.

How do you get the chalky taste out of a persimmon? ›

Hachiyas, also known as bitter or astringent persimmons, should not be eaten until fully ripe. Before they've reached peak ripeness, Hachiyas will have a virtually inedible, chalky taste. To avoid this unpleasant surprise, make sure you allow Hachiyas to ripen until they're soft and about to burst.

What is the purpose of adding baking soda to food? ›

Through the chemical reaction created by combining baking soda with liquid, acid, and heat, carbon dioxide is created. These tiny CO2 gas bubbles allow for soft and airy baked goods such as cookies, pancakes, and cakes. Baking soda also increases pH levels while reducing gluten.

How do I get more fruit on my persimmon tree? ›

The best and most fruits will be produced when persimmon trees are growing in full sun. However, trees that receive a little shade during the hottest part of summer days will still produce good crops of fruit. If desired, construct a water basin at the base of the tree about 36 inches in diameter.

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