Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (2024)

This delicious persimmon pudding is delightfully moist and chewy. It’s loaded with naturally sweet persimmons and has the most beautiful aroma of brown sugar and cinnamon. Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (1)

What does persimmon taste like?

Persimmons have a very mild and sweet taste, like pumpkin sweetened with honey. Certain types of persimmons, like Hachiya, can have a very unpleasant, chalky taste if not fully ripe. But once completely ripened, the texture is silky and watery like applesauce and quite enjoyable to eat. Other types, like Fuyu, can be eaten while the fruit is still a little firm.

What is persimmon pudding?

Persimmon pudding is an American dessert made with persimmons. It’s very moist, sweet, and dense in texture, similar to an English toffee pudding. It’s often served with ice cream, whipped cream, or hard sauce. Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (2)

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Packed with fruit – For those who are lucky enough to have a persimmon tree in their backyard, this is a great way to use a lot of that lovely fruit. For those who love persimmon, well then this dessert was made for you, because it’s jam-packed with it.
  • Easy to make – All you have to do is mix the wet and dry ingredients separately, combine the two, and bake! Easy peasy.
  • Mouthwatering good – There are only 4 tablespoons of butter in this 13 x 9″ cake, yet it’s rich and dense like a brownie. With the mild taste of persimmon fruit, brown sugar and cinnamon were added to bring a warm depth of flavor to the pudding cake. The taste is fruity and sweet with a hint of molasses and spice. It’s super moist and has a nice contrast with the added walnuts or pecans to balance the chewy texture.
  • Here are some reviews:

“Made this yesterday. My family can’t stop eating it. Great recipe and helpful information on working with persimmons!” -Mary

“It’s awesome! I’ve waited all year to have persimmons again to bake this wonderful cake. It’s my boyfriend’s fav cake. Thank you for ur fantastic recipe!” – Shireen

“I LOVE this recipe. Have made it at least a dozen times and works every time. Haven’t met anyone who doesn’t love it, even those who don’t like persimmons.” – Belinda Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (3)

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • Overripe persimmons
  • Unsalted butter
  • Eggs
  • Granulated & brown sugar
  • Vanilla extract & ground cinnamon
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder & salt
  • Walnuts or pecans

How to make persimmon pudding:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below) Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (4)

  1. Remove any seeds and lightly puree the persimmon pulp to break apart the seed casings using a stand or handheld blender. Measure out 2 cups for the pudding.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the persimmon pulp, butter, eggs, sugars, and vanilla.
  3. In a separate bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Sift the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and stir by hand until combined. Fold in the chopped nuts.
  4. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13″ glass baking dish. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Expert tips:

What type of persimmon to use:

Any type of persimmons that gets soft when ripened, like Hachiya, Sharon fruit, or wild American persimmons are best to use for this recipe.

How to ripen persimmons:

The old trick my mom taught me was to place the unripe persimmons in a plastic or paper bag with an apple. The natural ethylene gas released from the apple will help ripen the persimmons quickly, in about 3-6 days.

How to make persimmon pulp:

Remove the stem and break or cut the fruit in half. Remove any hard black seeds and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Then using a stand or handheld blender, pulse the fruit a few times to break up the seed casings. And there you have it, persimmon pulp. Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (5)

FAQ:

Where did persimmon pudding originate?

In the state of Indiana, where wild persimmons are native to the region. Persimmon festivals are also popular in the area, where they host persimmon pudding contests. Some recipes go as far back as 150 years.

Does persimmon pudding need to be refrigerated?

It can be kept at room temperature for a day or two, but after that, it should be refrigerated because the cake is quite moist.

Can persimmon pudding be frozen?

Yes, persimmon pudding freezes well. Tightly wrap the cake in a double layer of plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature or warm up slices in the microwave before serving.

You might also like:

  • Sticky Toffee Pudding
  • Easy Bread Pudding
  • Baked Rice Pudding

Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.

Print

Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (6)

Persimmon Pudding Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 16 reviews

  • Author: Lily Ernst
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 min
  • Yield: 18-24
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

A dense, moist, and chewy spiced pudding cake made from the delicious persimmon fruit.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (500ml) persimmon pulp (about 3 large, 4 medium, or 6 small fruits)
  • 4 tbsp (60ml) melted unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (200g) lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (see notes*)
  • 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) salt
  • 1 tsp (5ml) ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (125g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13 x 9″ glass baking pan and set aside.
  2. Remove the stem and break or cut the fruit in half. Remove any hard black seeds and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Then using a stand or handheld blender, pulse the fruit a few times to break up the seed casings. Measure out 2 cups.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the persimmon pulp, butter, eggs, sugars, and vanilla.
  4. In a separate bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  5. Sift the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and stir by hand until combined. The batter will be lumpy. Fold in the chopped nuts and pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
  6. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the edges start brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil and continue baking until done. Enjoy with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Notes

*Most readers love this recipe as is. Though I have received feedback from a few readers that have reduced the amount of granulated sugar by half (or even omitted it altogether) because they found the cake too sweet. So depending on how sweet your persimmons are and your taste preference, feel free to adjust the amount of granulated sugar accordingly.

Leftovers can be tightly covered and stored at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

This recipe was originally published on November 16th, 2018, and has been recently updated with new photos and more information.

Persimmon Pudding (Recipe + Video) - Little Sweet Baker (2024)

FAQs

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 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 soften persimmons for baking? ›

Persimmons will ripen and soften at room temperature or by wrapping the fruit in paper or a paper bag will increase the concentration of ethylene gas to enhance the ripening time. Once ripe, store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do you preserve persimmon pulp? ›

You can also freeze persimmons to use later in baked items. To freeze persimmons, puree the pulp. It is recommended to add 1/8 teaspoon of ascorbic acid to each quart of persimmon puree. Place the pulp in a canning jar or freezer container being sure to leave sufficient head space.

What should you not eat with persimmon? ›

Dairy: Consuming dairy products like milk, yogurt, or cheese immediately before or after eating persimmons may lead to digestive issues for some people. This is because persimmons are acidic and can curdle milk, potentially causing stomach discomfort. To avoid this, consider spacing out the consumption of dairy.

Why do persimmons make my mouth weird? ›

This sensation can be described as dry, puckering, or even like your mouth has been coated with a layer of silt or talc. The reason behind this peculiar feeling is the high tannin content in persimmons [2]. Tannins are a class of astringent chemical compounds found in plants, including persimmons.

What are the benefits of eating persimmon? ›

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. One serving of persimmons contains approximately: Calories: 118.

What is the sweetest persimmon in the world? ›

Saijo persimmon: Saijo persimmons have an incredibly sweet, honey-like flavor. They are a seedless variety with bright orange skin and an oblong shape.

Can dogs eat persimmons? ›

Yes, dogs can safely eat persimmon fruits as an occasional treat. While dogs can consume persimmon skin, they should not eat the seeds because these cause digestive problems. In addition, you should only feed your dog a few slices or a small handful a day, as large amounts of persimmons can lead to an upset stomach.

What does baking soda do to persimmons? ›

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 is my dried persimmon turning white? ›

The fruit slowly dries and the sugar in the fruit comes to the surface, and the fruit flavor concentrates. The outside of the fruit turns white from its own sugar looking a bit like white mold. It's not moldy; it is purely the sugar from the fruit itself rising to its surface.

What can I do with too much persimmon? ›

One of the best options for copious amounts of any food is to freeze some for later. HalfPint suggests pureeing the persimmon pulp, putting it into plastic freezer bags to maximize your freezer space, and then making persimmon bread, smoothies, and steamed pudding with the thawed fruit pulp later on.

Why do you peel and hang persimmons? ›

Texture and Flavor: Drying persimmons transforms their texture from soft and juicy to firm and chewy. The drying process concentrates the fruit's natural sugars, intensifying the sweetness and enhancing the flavor. 2. Preservation: Drying persimmons helps extend their shelf life.

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.

Does freezing persimmons remove astringency? ›

The process of tannin insolubilization was greatest for slowly frozen flesh. Such adhesion of soluble tannins to fragments of cell walls and plasma membranes may be a factor that reduce astringency in persimmon fruit frozen slowly during and after thawing.

Is it safe to eat persimmon with black spots? ›

Pick out firm persimmons that are bright orange without too much black staining. A little bit of black staining is fine, but don't pick one that has large dark black spots - the black will be on the inside as well and while there is no harm in eating that, it feels weird eating fruit with black spots inside.

Can you eat dark persimmon? ›

Fuyu persimmons are still hard when ripe and will turn a slightly darker orange. They can be eaten when hard. Their skins are edible.

What is the black mold on my persimmons? ›

You'll recognize anthracnose persimmon tree diseases by the black spots that appear on the leaves. The tree may lose its leaves starting at the bottom branches. You may also see black sunken spots on leaf stalks and lesions on the persimmon bark. Anthracnose disease is not often lethal in mature trees.

How can you tell if a persimmon is rotten? ›

An overripe persimmon tends to be mushy and may have dark, wrinkled skin. The color might be deeper than usual, and it could have an overly sweet, fermented smell.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6112

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.