How to Make Jam Roly-Poly: A Classic British Pud

Jam roly-poly is a proper British dessert through and through — warm, hearty, and full of nostalgia. Known as a "school dinner classic", this traditional steamed suet pudding is rolled up with sweet jam and served piping hot with lashings of custard. It’s the sort of pudding that sticks to your ribs and puts a smile on your face.

--- published by foodie Parmod.

🍓 What Is Jam Roly-Poly?

Jam roly-poly is a rolled suet pudding, filled with jam and then steamed or baked. It dates back to the 19th century and was affectionately known as “dead man’s arm” or “shirt-sleeve pudding” because it was originally steamed in an old shirt sleeve!

This comforting dessert is best served hot, cut into thick slices, and drenched in custard. It’s humble, homely, and quintessentially British.

---

🧈 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the dough:

250g self-raising flour

125g shredded suet (beef or vegetarian)

1 tbsp caster sugar

Pinch of salt

Approx. 150ml cold water

For the filling:

4–5 tbsp raspberry or strawberry jam (or your favourite)

To serve:

Warm custard

---

👨‍🍳 How to Make Jam Roly-Poly

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the self-raising flour, suet, sugar, and salt.

2. Gradually add the cold water, mixing with a knife until a soft dough forms.

3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead it just enough to bring it together.

Step 2: Roll and Fill

1. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 20x30cm (8x12 inches), around 1cm thick.

2. Spread the jam evenly over the dough, leaving a 1.5cm (½ inch) border all around.

3. Carefully roll up the dough from the short side, like a Swiss roll.

4. Pinch the ends to seal and make sure the jam doesn’t leak out.

Step 3: Wrap for Steaming

1. Place the roll on a large sheet of baking paper, then wrap it loosely to allow for expansion.

2. Wrap again in a layer of foil, sealing the edges securely.

> Tip: You can also bake it instead of steaming — see the notes below.

Step 4: Steam the Pudding

1. Place the wrapped roly-poly on a trivet or upturned saucer in a large pan.

2. Pour in boiling water until it reaches halfway up the roll.

3. Cover with a lid and steam gently for 1 hour 30 minutes, topping up with water if needed.

---

🔄 Alternative: How to Bake Jam Roly-Poly

If you prefer to bake instead of steam:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

2. Place the rolled pudding on a lined baking tray.

3. Brush with a little milk or egg wash for colour.

4. Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until golden and firm.

---

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Jam roly-poly is best served hot and fresh. Slice thickly and pour over plenty of:

Custard (traditional choice)

Double cream

A scoop of vanilla ice cream

---

💡 Tips for the Best Jam Roly-Poly

Use good-quality jam – Thick, fruity jam gives the best flavour and texture.

Don't roll too tightly – Leave a bit of space for the roll to expand while cooking.

Wrap loosely – If steaming, always allow room in the wrapping for rising.

Try other fillings – Swap jam for golden syrup, lemon curd, or mincemeat for a twist.

---

📈 

To help this post rank well in Google search results, we’ve naturally included important  throughout the text:

How to make jam roly-poly

Traditional British pudding

Suet pudding recipe

Easy jam roly-poly recipe

Classic British desserts

Steamed jam roly-poly

Old-fashioned British puds

These terms help ensure that people searching for classic British dessert recipes can easily find this post.

---

🏡 A Taste of British Tradition

Jam roly-poly is one of those desserts that instantly transports you to simpler times — think family dinners, rainy afternoons, and old-school puddings. While it may have fallen out of fashion for a while, it’s now firmly back on the menu for anyone who loves proper British comfort food.

With its soft, jammy filling and rich suet dough, jam roly-poly is a nostalgic treat that never fails to please.

---

✅ Conclusion

Making jam roly-poly is surprisingly easy and incredibly rewarding. With a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll have a warm, comforting dessert that’s full of traditional British flavour. Whether you steam or bake it, don’t forget the custard — it’s not a proper jam roly-poly without it!

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.

Looking for more British puddings? Try our recipes for Spotted Dick, Treacle Tart, and Sticky Toffee Pudding — all guaranteed to bring a bit of British charm to your kitchen.