Bob Dylan is known for many things: His Grammy Award-winning albums, his legendary live shows, his Nobel Prize in Literature…but one thing fans might be surprised to learn is that the iconic singer-songwriter has a major sweet tooth, and his favorite dessert is a holiday classic that’s been around for centuries.
In 2006, several years before Dylan released his first (and last) Christmas album, Christmas in the Heart, Dylan hosted a two-hour Christmas special on his radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour. Not only did the festive episode feature Dylan spinning carols like “Jingle Bells” and reading “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” but the musician also took the opportunity to share a highly-coveted recipe.
“I’ve got a lot of letters asking about this — here’s my recipe for figgy pudding,” he said.
Dylan went on to tell listeners exactly how to make his favorite holiday dessert, admitting, “It makes me hungry just talking about it.”
“First, get 4 ounces of plain flour, a pinch of salt, 4 ounces of breadcrumbs, 4 ounces of shredded suet, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 3 ounces of dark soft brown sugar, 8 ounces of chopped dry figs, finely grated rind and juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of milk, [and] 2 beaten eggs,” Dylan instructed.
“Sift the salt and flour together, then mix the remaining dry ingredients. Add the figs, lemon rind and juice, milk, and beaten eggs, and then beat them well. The mixture should have a soft dropping consistency. Put [it] into a greased 2-pint pudding basin, cover securely, and steam for 3 hours,” he continued, adding, “I like it served with heated golden syrup topping and a generous pouring of custard.”
The History of Figgy Pudding
While most people have heard of figgy pudding thanks to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” it’s not a super common treat at modern-day holiday gatherings.
According to History, the first records of figgy pudding (also known as plum pudding) date all the way back to the early 15th century, when people ate “plum pottage” (a savory mix of meat and root vegetables) at the beginning of a meal. Over time, the dish shifted to a sweeter concoction as dried fruit became more readily available in England. By the Victorian era, figgy pudding had developed into a Christmas tradition…one that Dylan apparently fell in love with over a century later.
Related: Bob Dylan Wrote the Lyrics to This Classic Song on a Napkin and Didn’t Want Any Credit
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
