Why use the Instant Pot for Christmas desserts
Christmas cooking often means a crowded oven. An electric pressure cooker gives you a second cooking space for desserts that suit moist heat: puddings, cheesecakes, dense spiced cakes and custards. It will not brown or crisp like an oven, so it works best for soft, rich, or steamed desserts.
If you are new to cooking sweets in a pressure cooker, our overview of Instant Pot mini desserts explains the basic pot-in-pot method, and the same approach applies to most ideas below.
Christmas pudding in the Instant Pot
Christmas pudding is traditionally steamed for hours, and a pressure cooker is a popular shortcut, especially for reheating a ready-made pudding.
Reheating a shop-bought pudding
One common method looks like this:
- Place a trivet in the inner pot.
- Unwrap the pudding from its box, but keep any plastic basin or wrapper it came in unless the package says otherwise.
- Set the pudding on the trivet and add hot water until it comes about halfway up the pudding.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure.
- Release the pressure, lift the pudding out carefully, and turn it onto a serving plate.
Always follow the instructions on the pudding’s packaging first, and check that the pudding is hot all the way through before serving.
How much water and how long
The amount of water depends on the size of your pot, the trivet height and the pudding. One published recipe for a small shop-bought pudding used about 2 litres of water and around 25 minutes at pressure with a quick release. Larger or homemade puddings need different times, so use a recipe tested for your pudding’s size.
Can you steam it too long?
Yes. Overcooking can leave a pudding dry, so stick to the time given for your pudding rather than guessing.
Serve with brandy sauce, brandy butter, custard, or cream.
Cheesecakes for the holidays
A creamy cheesecake is a favorite pressure cooker dessert. For Christmas, try a gingersnap or speculoos crumb crust, orange zest or a swirl of cranberry sauce. Chill it for several hours so it slices cleanly. A full cheesecake can be made a day or two before guests arrive, which helps on a busy day. If you would rather skip cooking altogether, our easy mini strawberry cheesecakes are a no-bake alternative.
Gingerbread, spice and apple cider cakes
Dense, moist cakes such as gingerbread and apple cider donut cake work well in a pressure cooker because the steam keeps them tender. Use a pan that fits your pot and cover it with foil to stop condensation from dripping on the cake. You can finish with a glaze, a dusting of sugar, or a spoonful of whipped cream. For a not-too-sweet spiced cake baked in the oven, try our breakfast spice cake.
Flourless chocolate cake
Flourless chocolate cake is rich and fudgy, and it suits the gentle, moist heat. Cool it fully before cutting, and serve small slices with berries or cream, or with a drizzle of easy caramel ganache.
Sweet drinks and sauces
Some holiday roundups also include eggnog, mulled wine and apple cider made in the Instant Pot. These are not desserts, but they pair well with one. If a recipe includes alcohol, follow it carefully and keep the pot’s fill limits in mind, since foamy or thick liquids need extra care with pressure cooking. Check your manual.
Planning a holiday dessert schedule
- A few days ahead: cheesecake, gingerbread cake, or a boozy sauce (refrigerate dairy-based items).
- The day before: chocolate cake and any glazes.
- On the day: reheat the pudding while the main meal rests, since the pressure cooker is free once the oven is busy.
Tips for success
- Check that your dishes fit in the pot before you start.
- Cover desserts with foil to limit condensation.
- Let delicate desserts release pressure naturally for a short time.
- Cool desserts fully before chilling or slicing.
- Keep leftover dairy and egg desserts refrigerated.
If you want a lighter option or a pan-baked alternative for the holidays, see our ideas for healthy Dutch oven desserts.
FAQ
Can you steam a pudding in the Instant Pot?
Yes. Steamed sponge puddings and Christmas puddings are commonly cooked in an Instant Pot using a trivet and a small amount of water.
Can I make Christmas pudding from scratch in a pressure cooker?
Many cooks do, using a covered basin set on a trivet. Use a recipe tested for pressure cooking, since the times differ from traditional steaming.
Can I make desserts ahead for Christmas?
Many of them, yes. Cheesecakes and dense spiced cakes tend to hold well when kept chilled and covered.