A Historic Winter Celebration Dessert That Deserves a Comeback When the holiday feast wasn't complete until the mother brought out the flaming pudding! The Surprising History Long before pumpkin pie became the Thanksgiving standard, there was plum pudding—a rich, spiced dessert that graced American holiday tables as early as 1796. But this festive treat's story begins much earlier, in 15th century England, where it started as "plum pottage," a hearty mixture served at winter