Blueberry Self-Saucing Pudding Cake

Make a self-saucing pudding by pouring boiling water over batter topped lucious blueberries, and you’ll have the most heavenly dessert. It creates a caramelized coating over the top of a cake-like filling surrounded by a warm blueberry sauce. It’s a little magical!

When you have fresh sweet blueberries and need a quick dessert that’s not too heavy, you’ll want to try a blueberry self-saucing pudding. While the most common self-saucing pudding is a pudding made with chocolate, wait until you try it with blueberries, it’s not quite as rich as the chocolate version and works great for when you’re looking for a lighter summer dessert.

It’s amazing served both warm or at room temperature, so it’s a scrumptious dessert to take to a potluck or when you’ve been tasked with bringing a dessert.

You may have heard of self-saucing puddings from the Great British Baking Show. I promise you this one is not as challenging as the ones they tried to create, and it is a no-fail recipe. While I love to tackle a challenging recipe, this is not one of them.

All that’s involved is making a simple cake-like batter, spread it over a blueberry mixture and pour boiling water over the top. Then let the magic begin while it bakes.

I’m not sure how this works, but like with a peach pudding cake, the boiling water and sugar create a crispy layer on top while underneath is a light cake and blueberry filling.

This dessert shares some similarities with a blueberry cobbler, but the topping has a different texture that is less doughy than biscuits. It’s the perfect dessert to add to your next cookout or family dinner this summer.

Since it’s so easy to put together, you’ll find it great for a dinner party or gathering. Just prepare it ahead of time and pour the boiling water over it right before you put it in the oven. It can bake while you’re eating.

What is a self-saucing pudding? 

A self-saucing pudding refers to any dessert that creates its own sauce as it bakes, such as a chocolate cobbler or peach pudding cake. In this recipe, the batter forms two layers – a top layer that bakes into a moist cake, and the bottom layer which combines with the blueberries to make an amazing fruity sauce. 

As to the spelling, should it be “self-saucing pudding” or “self saucing pudding”? I checked with my English major who told me that it should have a hyphen because it is used to connect the words and indicate that the sauce is an integral part of the pudding itself. However I’ve seen it both ways so you do you.

Can I use frozen blueberries for this recipe? 

You don’t have to wait for blueberry season to enjoy this pudding cake. Frozen blueberries will absolutely work for this recipe! Blueberries are typically flash-frozen at the peak of their ripeness, which means that oftentimes they’re actually fresher than the berries you can get in the produce section. Just let them thaw before using in this dessert.

Food that goes great with blueberry desserts

Blueberries are one of those fruits that compliment almost any meal. If you’re cooking on the grill, try it after a dinner of grilled peach chicken, grilled potato wedges, and fresh creamy corn and cucumber salad to round off a spectacular summer meal with friends and family. 

If indoors, try it after savory slow cooked ribs, strawberry spinach salad and charred corn. The possibilities are endless.

Why You’ll Love Blueberry Pudding Cake

• It uses simple pantry ingredients
• The self-saucing method is simple to do and makes for an impressive-looking dessert. The top cake layer is perfect for mopping up all of that delicious blueberry sauce! 
• You’ll love how this recipe can be enjoyed at any temperature, making it ideal for potlucks or picnics.
• You’ll only make 1 bowl dirty!
• You can make it anytime of the year.

Pro Tip: If you have tons of blueberries, learn how to keep blueberries fresh longer until you have time to make your favorite blueberry recipes.

Blueberry Self-Saucing Pudding Recipe Ingredients

• Blueberries – Fresh or frozen blueberries will work just fine for this recipe.
  
• Cinnamon –  Cinnamon adds a hint of spice and warmth to the dessert. 

• Lemon Juice –  Lemon juice provides acidity and brightness. I highly recommend using the juice from a fresh lemon for this recipe.
  
• Pantry Staples – Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, milk, hot water

How To Make This Easy Blueberry Self-Saucing Pudding Recipe

Step 1: Make the blueberry mixture. 

In a bowl, combine the blueberries with the cinnamon and lemon juice, and place them into the bottom of a casserole dish. 

Step 2: Make the cake. 

Use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar. Add the flour mixture then milk.

Step 3: Create the layers. 

Spread the batter over the blueberries using a spatula to make sure they are fully covered. Sprinkle the top with sugar.

Pour very hot water over the top of the dough and bake until the top is brown and cracked. 

Tips for Making a Self-Saucing Pudding

• The hot water step is crucial for achieving the right texture and creating the two layers. It may seem unusual, but don’t skip it!
• The water does not have to be boiling but should be hotter than what comes out of the tap.

How to Store Blueberry Pudding Cake

This pudding will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days. It’s great served cold or at room temperature

Your pudding can also be frozen if you want to save it for later. Just place it in a small container and seal it up tight. Freeze for up to 2 months.

If you want to reheat it, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds per serving, or place it back in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until warm.

Do I need to thaw frozen blueberries?

It is best to let the blueberries thaw a little before adding to the casserole dish. Drain any extra juice once thawed so that the pudding is not too thin.  

Self-Saucing FAQs

Can I make this dessert ahead of time? 

This dessert is a great option for making ahead of time! It’s excellent served warm or at room temperature, so there is no need to warm it up before serving! This dessert can also be frozen directly in this dish it is baked in. Make sure it has cooled completely to room temperature before wrapping in plastic and placing it in the freezer. Thaw it on the counter, and once fully thawed, it can be reheated in a low oven if desired. 

You can also prep this up to the point of adding the boiling water. Wait to add the water until right before placing in the oven.

Can I use other fruits to make a self-saucing pudding? 

Self-saucing pudding requires a fruit with a lot of juice in it to create the texture we’re looking for. Any soft fruit would be delicious in this application. Try peaches, raspberries, or blackberries! 

More Delicious Blueberry Recipes to Love

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.