The British have a habit of eating dessert after a meal, and the golden combination of afternoon tea with dessert. For thousands of years, desserts have played an essential role in Western cuisine and are an indispensable part of the Western diet. Although the UK is known in our minds as the country of dark cuisine, these exquisite and delicious desserts are irresistible.
Many girls complain that they have gained a lot of weight after coming to the UK. However, they can’t control themselves when faced with these tempting desserts, which is a headache. Take a look at these irresistible and exquisite desserts in the UK, and be sure to savour them when you have the chance:
Top 10 British Desserts: Origins, Tastes
| Dessert | Origin / Background | What It Tastes Like | Typical Ingredients | Best Way to Eat It | Where to Try in the UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trifle | Traditional British dessert, especially popular during Christmas; sold widely in supermarkets. | Light, refreshing, creamy; not overly sweet. | Fruit, sponge cake, jam, custard, cream; sometimes alcohol like sherry. | Eat chilled; perfect for summer or family gatherings. | Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose; also homemade versions during holidays. |
| Scone | Staple of traditional British afternoon tea; originated in Scotland. | Buttery, crumbly, mild sweetness. | Flour, butter, milk, sugar; served with clotted cream & jam. | Enjoy warm with cream and strawberry jam + English breakfast tea. | Afternoon tea venues, countryside tea rooms, M&S bakery. |
| Rhubarb Crumble | Classic homemade British dessert; fruit crumbles also popular with apple, peach, blackberry. | Crunchy top layer with tangy-sweet fruit underneath. | Rhubarb (or other fruit), sugar, butter, flour, oats. | Serve warm with custard or vanilla ice cream. | Pubs, family kitchens, local cafés, Sunday roast menus. |
| Eton Mess | Originated at Eton College cricket matches; famously served at royal events. | Sweet, creamy, fruity, “messy”. | Strawberries, meringue, cream, ice cream, jam. | Eat chilled; perfect with sparkling wine or champagne. | Summer menus, cafés, supermarket ready-to-eat cups. |
| Treacle Sponge Pudding | Classic British steamed pudding; often served in pubs. | Warm, sticky, sweet, comforting. | Sponge cake, golden syrup, custard. | Eat hot with custard—especially in winter. | Pub restaurants, local diners; rarely found in supermarkets. |
| Bakewell Pudding | Originated from the town of Bakewell in the Peak District; a local speciality. | Sweet, buttery, almond-flavoured with jam. | Puff pastry, jam, butter, eggs, sugar, almond icing. | Enjoy warm or room temperature with tea. | Bakewell town bakeries; cafés across the UK. |
| Apple Pie | One of Britain’s traditional home-style desserts; widely available. | Sweet apples with crisp pastry layers. | Apples, sugar, cinnamon, butter, pastry dough. | Serve warm with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream. | Supermarkets, bakeries, pubs serving classic British food. |
| Christmas Pudding | The signature dessert of British Christmas celebrations; made weeks in advance. | Dense, fruity, rich, festive. | Dried fruits, nuts, suet, spices, alcohol; hidden coin tradition. | Steam and serve hot with brandy butter or custard. | Christmas markets, supermarkets during holiday season, homemade. |
| Bread and Butter Pudding | Traditional English dessert made from leftover bread. | Custardy, buttery, soft with golden top. | Bread, butter, sultanas, eggs, milk, spices. | Eat warm; great with extra cream or custard. | Home kitchens, pubs, bakery cafés. |
| Victoria Sponge | Named after Queen Victoria; afternoon tea essential. | Light sponge, creamy and fruity filling. | Sponge cake, jam, fresh cream, powdered sugar. | Serve fresh with tea; simple but elegant. | Afternoon tea venues, cafés, bakeries across the UK. |
Trifle
Trifle is a traditional British Christmas dessert, usually available in supermarkets. It is especially suitable for summer, not too sweet or greasy. Compared with other British desserts that make people tired of panic, this can make people unable to stop. Trifle is usually made from fruit, cake, jam, and cream layers. Some Trifles are made with alcohol (usually sherry or Madeira). In contrast, non-alcoholic Trifles are made with liquids such as ginger ale, fruit juice, or sparkling water to give them a different taste. UK supermarkets sell Trifles in large boxes and small cups. Trust us, Sainsbury’s Summerfruit Trifle is a delightful choice. This 500g box, perfect for sharing among 4-5 people, offers an authentic taste of summer.
Scone
When it comes to traditional British afternoon tea, how can you go wrong with Scone? Savouring a robust English black tea with milk and a freshly made scone, adorned with cream or strawberry sauce, in a quaint countryside teahouse on a rainy afternoon, offers a serene and elegant slice of the English experience. This is how a British afternoon tea should be: a cup of strong black tea with milk, a hot piece of handmade Scone with fresh cream or strawberry sauce.
Rhubarb Crumble
Rhubarb is a strange plant that is a common ingredient in desserts in the UK. Crumble is a dessert commonly made by British people at home. And I remember eating it several times at British people’s homes, freshly made by themselves. This dessert usually comes with butter and seasonal fruits, and the choice of fruits is generally quite random. Some common choices are apples, blackberries, peaches and plums. The name of the dessert changes accordingly with different fruits. For example, if you add apples, the dessert’s name is AppleCrumble, and if you add the vegetable Rhubarb, it’s the RhubarbCrumble. In summary, the British have a strong affinity for this dessert, which consists of a crumbly biscuit layer on top and a tart yet sweet layer on the bottom. The unconventional combination is well-loved in Britain.
Eton mess
As in China, the names of many British cuisines are linked to their place of birth. Eton mess was initially served as traditional food to players, guests, and spectators at cricket matches pitting Eton against Winchester and Harrow. The finishing touch to this dessert is the messy appearance of the ingredients piled perfectly together. It is a simple mix of cream, jam, ice cream and fresh fruit. Eton mess is famous in the UK and pairs perfectly with champagne, even making it to the Prince’s wedding table!
Treacle Sponge Pudding
Treacle sponge pudding is a meal that dessert lovers should not miss. After carefully baking the cake, top it with golden syrup or creamy custard. The sweet and savoury taste can fill every taste bud, which will let you feel relaxed. Half of this dessert is not available in supermarkets. You can get it in some Western restaurants or small pubs, but ensure you eat it while it’s hot. Eating a Treacle sponge pudding on a warm winter day will satisfy you greatly. Beckham declares this dessert as his favourite British treat.
Bakewell Pudding
Bakewell pudding, a traditional English dessert, became famous in the small town of Bakewell, nestled in England’s Peak District. As a result, Bakewell Pudding has become a local speciality, and the smell of the dessert fills the whole town’s air. Every year, the city attracts many tourists to taste the food. Bakewell Pudding consists of a lasagna pastry for the bottom shell, jam for the bottom layer of the filling, a top layer consisting of butter, eggs and sugar, and an almond-flavoured icing on top. Bakewell Pudding has grown all over the UK. The pudding has been given multiple flavours and specialities through refinement and evolution. But strictly speaking, only puddings produced locally in Bakewell can be called Bakewell Pudding.
Apple Pie
Although it’s just one of British England’s most challenging and unacceptable treats, it doesn’t stop the British from loving apple pie. Apple pie is a very classic, traditional British dessert. Apple pies have a crusty cake on top and bottom. The top layer may be a circle or a woven lattice. Traditional British dessert makers are very particular about the apples used in apple pie. The apples must be fresh enough, and the cooking time must be controlled appropriately to maintain the flavour after cooking. Apple pies can be found in almost all large and small supermarkets in the UK, but you can go to a bakery and buy them freshly made for a better taste.
Christmas Pudding
As the name suggests, Christmas Pudding is a dessert eaten at Christmas in the UK. This dessert can be considered the highlight of the British family Christmas dinner. Many families prepare several days in advance, and all the family members create a pudding together, symbolising unity and harmony. All the family members make a pudding together to symbolise unity and harmony. At the end, a coin is hidden in the dough. Christmas pudding in the British festive season, like Chinese dumplings and noodles, symbolises reunion, happiness and good fortune for the coming year.
Bread and butter pudding
Bread and butter, quintessential English staples, can morph into uniquely flavoured traditional desserts. Layered buttered Bread sprinkled with fresh sultanas, topped with herbs, and a little custard in the oven, the finished dessert smells of butter and milk. However, a French friend told me it is best to use expired Bread for Bread and butter pudding. The product is delicious.
The Victoria sponge
The Victoria sponge, it seems, is a classic must-have for afternoon tea time in the UK. A well-made plain cake is sliced horizontally down the centre and touched with a layer of cream and a layer of jam, or in some cases, fresh fruit. The dessert is named Victoria Sponge after Queen Victoria’s favourite way of eating sponge cake, and it’s easy enough to make at home if you’re interested.
FAQ
These desserts not only offer an authentic, mouth-watering taste of British cuisine but also provide an insight into the country’s cultural traditions and historical influences on its food.
While some of these desserts may require a bit of culinary skill, their unique flavours and textures make the effort worthwhile. We believe in your ability to create these delightful dishes at home!
While we advocate for the joy of homemade desserts, we also understand the pleasure of dining out. You can find these British desserts in various traditional bakeries, pubs, and restaurants across the UK.
