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Pouding Chômeur

The Sweet History of Pouding Chômeur: A Quebec Culinary Treasure

I never thought as a kid that pouding chômeur would become a thing. Neither did I think it would be the same for poutine. But here we are. In the 60s and 70s the world was smaller before social media and travel. It is one of the signature dishes of Quebecois culture. One among many others.

Pouding chomeur is still one of the simplest deserts one can make. You can almost make it with just 3 ingredients. It is also a tribute the resiliency of French Canadians. Life was tough for most French Canadians especially before the Quiet Revolution. French Canadians were mostly labourers; farmers, farm workers, general labour. There was hardly a French Canadians middle class before 1960. It was after the Quiet Revolution that things changed in the province. The education system was reformed and a new generation entered the labor force. Manages, middle managers, entrepreneurs and more.

Times were harsh for many and so with little means creative ways were used to make ends meet. One of them was the pouding chômeur.

It would be a staple for us growing up in the sixties, into the seventies and even the eighties and nineties. But it seemed to have lost it’s “ooomf” until the early 00’s. It has made a resurgence and is now a common dessert in some of the top restaurants of the province.

It’s filled with new twists: maple syrup, berries and other new ingredients to make it a very interesting dessert. But I am still partial to the original. Or as close to it as possible. I have rediscovered and appreciate more today than I did as a kid.

As you plan your next educational trip to Quebec or Montreal with us, make sure to introduce your students to our beloved dessert with a fascinating history.

The Origins of Pouding Chômeur

Pouding chômeur, which translates to “unemployed person’s pudding” or “poor man’s pudding,” has humble beginnings rooted in Quebec’s history:

Created during the Great Depression in 1929 by female factory workers in Quebec .
Developed using cheap, readily available ingredients during tough economic times.
Originally made with simple components like flour, brown sugar, and water.

A Dish Born of Necessity

The story of pouding chômeur reflects the resourcefulness of Quebec’s working class:

Factory workers crafted the recipe using basic ingredients found in their industrial neighborhoods.
In its earliest form, the dessert sometimes used stale bread instead of cake batter.
The dish quickly spread throughout Quebec, becoming a staple in many households.

How Pouding Chômeur is Made

This dessert is deceptively simple yet incredibly delicious:

A basic cake batter is prepared using flour, sugar, and milk .
A sweet syrup is made, traditionally using brown sugar or maple syrup .
The batter is poured into a baking dish, and the hot syrup is added on top .
As it bakes, the cake rises through the syrup, creating distinct layers.

The result is a moist cake with a gooey, sweet sauce at the bottom – a true comfort food.