Maple pouding chomeur is a Canadian dessert meaning "unemployed person pudding". Made with lots of maple syrup and heavy cream, I'm not sure how an unemployed person could afford this luxury, but I'm sure glad they passed this recipe on!
Maple pudding chomeur or maple pouding chomeur became well known during the Great Depression when 30& of the Canadian workforce was unemployed.
When times were tough people made this from stale bread and a brown sugar sauce. When baked the topping caramelized and provided energy for those that truly needed it.
What is Maple Pouding Chomeur?
In 1939 after the depression had ended bakers replace the bread with a thick batter and maple syrup and heavy cream.
Today the maple pudding is made with other ingredients but this traditional dessert is eaten by all.
I couldn't help myself. It was the Wall Street Journal that put me over the top.
And no it wasn't the news I was reading. It was this recipe.
I have had this recipe in my head for years. I kid you not. I tore out a recipe for this decadent maple cake pudding years ago from Bon Appetit.
I've always meant to try it, but have never gotten around to it. Years ago I couldn't afford maple syrup AND heavy cream, but thank goodness times have changed.
And way back when I'm not sure I would have even found real maple syrup.
Almost similar to bread pudding, though made with a batter, this is a cozy, comforting dessert that is perfect for chilly, stay at home nights.
(This is an updated post from 2015.)
So it was Sunday and Manservant's quick weekend was coming to an end. It hadn't been a great one.
He had two days of weekend work after countless days of labor, and the weekend just added to it. I was cranky, after all after Korea he was going to see Alex and I am always left manning the fort.
I was totally bitchy, not without reason mind you, and he was trying to focus. But not on me!
So pretending to take pity on him, but really for my own personal pleasure, I decided it was time to drown my sorrow in this maple pudding cake.
Not a bad move on my part. Drowning in heavy cream and maple is a perfect way to die of pleasure. A bit sticky mind you, but a totally acceptable part of anyone's last meal.
Now I can't tell you what the real maple pouding chomeur tastes like, since I don't recall ever being in Canada.
Well yes, there was one time. And it was in Montreal where this "poor man's pudding" comes from. (Not that I'm sure that anyone poor could afford it.)
I was in Montreal as a child for the world expo. My one and only memory of that trip is watching my 4 year old brother's face as he boarded the train to take us to the expo, and the door slammed shut before the rest of us were on.
My parents without any success were seen trying to pry the door open with their fingers, but that would be like trying to extract your fingers from the sticky goodness of this pudding.
As he escaped the city on the way to expo glory, my family and I stood on an extremely crowded railway platform.
Jumping the next train we arrived at the expo where my brother was waiting with some kind folks who had seen my parent's mistake. They kindly waited as they figured we would be arriving soon.
Yes. That is my memory of Canada. Though we laugh at this now, I much rather would have a memory of eating this glorious pudding!
This would be a perfect dessert for turkey day. This would be a perfect dessert for any day. My friend Monique just made one, which is a bit different than this one from the WSJ, by way of Food 52, so check hers out, too.
She is the real deal, takes way better photos than I do, and I am just an imposter-at least when it comes to traditional Canadian foods.
I halved this recipe and added pumpkin pie spice. I also roasted some apples which were superb with this.
It is traditional to serve this topped with whipped cream or ice cream. I decided to keep this healthy with the addition of apples. LOL!
And being the kind person that I am, I brought the extra three servings to my neighbors. Truly I didn't want to drown my sorrows when Manservant left the next morning...but I could have!
Need a Few More?
Maple Glazed Maple Shortbread
Maple Challah Rolls
Maple Walnut Scones
I'd Love it if you'd Follow Me on Pinterest and Pin and Share!
Recipe
Maple Pudding Chomeur
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes*
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 10 Servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Description
This delectable poor man's pudding is made for maple lovers. Similar to bread pudding but made from butter, sugar, eggs and flour, this pudding is baked with a syrup of maple and heavy cream. Totally divine!
Ingredients
1 ⅓ sticks butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
2 ⅓ c flour
1 t baking powder
1 t Pumpkin Pie Spice (optional and to taste)
2 c maple syrup
2 c heavy cream
3 apples to roast (optional) I used Honey Crisps and Granny Smiths
Ice Cream or Whipped Cream to serve (optional)
Instructions
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamed and smooth.
Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add flour and baking powder and pumpkin pie spice if using. Stir until incorporated.
Chill batter at least two hours and up to 24.
An hour before serving, preheat oven to 450. Bring maple syrup and heavy cream to boil in a large saucepan.
Divide the chilled batter among 10 small, 1 cup ramekins. I used coffee cups for a few but make sure yours are able to be baked in.
Pour maple cream over batter, stopping about 1 ½ inches from the top. Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake until tops are bubbling and caramelized, 20 minutes. Serve immediately with ice cream, whipped cream, or apples!
Optional: To roast apples: Butter a baking dish. Slice apples into large wedges. Place in baking dish and sprinkle with a bit of pumpkin pie spice if using. Save a little bit of the heavy cream mixture and toss this with the apples, too. Roast along with pudding until apples reach desired doneness.
Notes
*Does not include 2.5 hours chill time
Mimi Rippee says
This sounds wonderful!
http://www.chefmimiblog.com
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
What a scary story! I would have been in such a state of panic. As it was, we were on a trolley in San Francisco and our youngest daughter (5 or 6) was slow getting off and the trolley started up about to take her away and I yelled for her to jump. She badly skinned her knees in the fall 🙁 Now I need a dish of pudding remembering that day! It looks wonderful!
La Table De Nana says
Oh me too I had tears!!It must have been the Metro..
Geez Louise..why don't your posts come to me..I even signed up w/ a different addy..I
guess I will just have to visit every day;)
I can only imagine your poor brother and parents..as I have a few vague memories of Expo 67..I was 13..I remember someone putting kohl as make up on me..that was very exciting at my age back then as we were not Mileys..etc..Barbie was still my friend..and books and such..
I have a photo of my mom there holding a wide brimmed hat and my dad had called her Grace Kelly♥
These look great!
I also remember the US pavillion!
Sippity Sup says
I still can't afford maple syrup! But I won't let that stop me from trying this pudding-cake. The sap's running on my weeping willow (kidding). GREG
Abbe Odenwalder says
Now that would be a miracle Greg! As is affording maple syrup!
Cathleen says
This looks delicious!! I need to start making more things with apples 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
What about microwave apple brownies or apple granola? Thanks Cathleen!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Wow, this recipe looks really good Abbe. My Thanksgiving desserts will be pies, but I'd love to try this soon. Pinning.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Enjoy, Lea Ann. It is worth it!
Carol at Wild Goose Mama says
You are a Classy Broad. What an splendid unique way to drown your sorrows. No wonder I like you so well. Lol
Abbe Odenwalder says
Wish you lived closer Carol. We could drown our sorrows together!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Oh this - Oh this looks sooooo good! Drooling! YUM!
Abbe Odenwalder says
You will have to work out after this Gigi. But I know that isn't a problem!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
This maple pudding looks fantastic. This is so new to me. Can't wait to try this! 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Make it an old friend, Anu!
nicole branan says
What an incredible concoction! Going straight onto my must-make list. 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
It should Nicole! And I can't wait to see your pics!
Scott S. says
I've never heard of this delicious sounding pudding but I'm so happy to be introduced! It sounds like it would cure anything that ails a soul, even a missing husband!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Might even cure him too, Scott! Thanks!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
YUM! what a delicious idea! What a sweet story!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Delicious, girls!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I cried when I read this post. This was a dessert born from poverty and from French speaking Quebec where all my family is from until they stepped across the border into Maine. They could make their own maple syrup so it wasn't an expensive dessert but wonderful. Both my grandmothers had their own version and each swore hers was the best. Neither wrote a recipe in her life. Thanks for the trip back home.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh Maureen. Dry those tears and get a spoon. What fabulous memories you have. I would love to see this in a Maureen version. After all, it is orgasmic!
Bam's Kitchen says
I would forget all about my terrible week if you put one of these delicious puddings in front of me. Eat dessert first, life is short! I would want to eat this before dinner for sure.
Abbe Odenwalder says
This would be perfect after your healthy dinners, Bobbi! Kind of balance things out, you know?
Angie Schneider says
Maple and cream...what's not to love this glorious sweet treat! Just the sight of it already makes me really happy.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Good to be happy, Angie! Love the maple and cream in this!
Liz Berg says
So glad you had these yummy cakes to lighten your mood! I'm happy your brother was rescued by those kindly Canadians 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Imagine telling a story and not having found my brother? Too funny! We could have used these cakes then!
Kitchen Riffs says
The WSJ has some really good recipes. I've made several of theirs (and have more saved that I want to make) and enjoyed each one. This looks terrific! And something a bit different, too. Thanks!
Abbe Odenwalder says
It is different and I didn't even miss my chocolate. Definitely will make these again and again.
Tricia Buice says
I would drown my sorrows in this too. I have been known to have fits for no good reason - just comes with the territory. Now I'll not be able to get this out of my head until I try it - amazing - simply amazing!
Abbe Odenwalder says
You should try it Tricia, but don't say I didn't warn you!
Adam J. Holland says
Oh my.. I've had something similar to this and I cannot remember where. Doesn't matter now! These look fabulous!
Abbe Odenwalder says
They are fabulous and perfect; even in the Jimmy. And for a bride!
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
Yes, that recipe section in the WSJ is my favorite part of that paper all week! I would love your dessert and I wouldn't have been so kind as to share with my neighbors...all the extras would have been all for me. : )
Abbe Odenwalder says
Love their recipes! OMG. A girl must watch her figure. And you are skinny!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
Hi Abbe, these look fabulous, I can see myself eating one right after another. Sorry you didn't get to see Alex......
Abbe Odenwalder says
Next time Cheri! You could eat them that way. They are so good!