The chef at Kensington Palace still remembers the way Princess Diana’s eyes would light up whenever he brought out that particular dessert. She’d sit at the dining table, proper as always, but the moment she spotted the golden, caramelized top of her favorite treat, royal protocol seemed to melt away. “Just one more spoonful,” she’d say with that famous smile, reaching for seconds before anyone else had even finished their first helping.
We all have that one dessert that makes us feel like kids again, don’t we? That sweet treat that transports us back to simpler times, no matter how complicated our lives have become. For Princess Diana, that magical dessert was bread and butter pudding – a humble British comfort food that became her ultimate indulgence.
What makes this story even more touching is how this simple pleasure revealed so much about Diana’s character. Here was a woman living under constant scrutiny, yet she found joy in something as ordinary as leftover bread transformed into something extraordinary.
The Princess Diana Dessert That Stole Her Heart
Darren McGrady, Princess Diana’s personal chef at Kensington Palace, has shared countless stories about the royal family’s eating habits over the years. But none are quite as endearing as his memories of Diana’s obsession with bread and butter pudding.
“She absolutely adored it,” McGrady recalls. “No matter what elaborate desserts I prepared, if bread and butter pudding was on the menu, that’s what she wanted. And she’d always, always have seconds.”
The dessert even made its way into popular culture when it appeared in the 2021 film “Spencer,” starring Kristen Stewart as the beloved princess. The movie showed Diana’s relatability and her connection to simple pleasures, even within the confines of royal life.
McGrady’s bread and butter pudding wasn’t just any ordinary version. His recipe elevated the classic British dessert with rich custard, vanilla, and perfectly caramelized sugar on top. The princess would often request it for informal dinners and family meals, choosing comfort over complexity.
What Made This Royal Recipe So Special
Bread and butter pudding might seem like an unlikely choice for royal dining, but that’s exactly what made it perfect for Diana. The dessert represented everything she valued – warmth, comfort, and authenticity.
Here’s what made McGrady’s version so irresistible:
- Day-old brioche or challah bread, sliced thick and buttered generously
- Rich vanilla custard made with heavy cream and farm-fresh eggs
- A hint of orange zest for brightness
- Sultanas or currants for added texture and sweetness
- A perfectly caramelized sugar topping that crackled under the spoon
- Served warm with a dollop of thick cream on the side
“The key was using the best ingredients,” McGrady explains. “Diana could taste the difference between ordinary bread and butter pudding and one made with proper care and quality ingredients.”
| Ingredient | Royal Touch | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | Day-old brioche | Rich, buttery texture that absorbed custard perfectly |
| Butter | Unsalted, room temperature | Spread easily and added luxurious richness |
| Cream | Heavy cream from local farms | Created silky, indulgent custard base |
| Sugar | Demerara for topping | Caramelized beautifully for signature crunch |
The dessert perfectly captured Diana’s personality – elegant yet approachable, sophisticated but never pretentious. She appreciated the craft that went into transforming simple ingredients into something memorable.
Why This Dessert Choice Reveals So Much About Diana
Food choices often reveal more about a person than we realize, and Diana’s love for bread and butter pudding spoke volumes about who she was beneath the royal titles and designer gowns.
Royal food historian Dr. Annie Gray notes, “Diana’s preference for comfort foods like bread and butter pudding showed her desire for normalcy and warmth in a very formal world. These weren’t power foods or status symbols – they were foods that made her feel human.”
Unlike other members of the royal family who might have preferred more elaborate French pastries or formal desserts, Diana gravitated toward foods that felt like home. This choice reflected her famous down-to-earth nature and her ability to connect with ordinary people.
The princess often served this dessert when entertaining friends at Kensington Palace, creating an atmosphere of warmth and intimacy rather than formal grandeur. Guests remember feeling welcomed and comfortable, rather than intimidated by royal protocol.
“She’d literally ask for the recipe to be doubled because she knew she’d want more than one serving,” McGrady recalls with fondness. “There was something so refreshing about someone in her position being honest about what she enjoyed.”
This authentic approach to food extended beyond dessert. Diana was known for her love of simple pleasures – fish and chips, beans on toast, and yes, multiple helpings of bread and butter pudding. She proved that you don’t need exotic ingredients or complicated techniques to create something truly satisfying.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who met Diana several times, observed, “She had this wonderful way of making everyone feel at ease, and her food choices reflected that same warmth. She chose foods that brought people together rather than foods that impressed them.”
Today, decades after her death, Diana’s love for this humble dessert continues to inspire home cooks around the world. McGrady has shared his royal bread and butter pudding recipe publicly, allowing fans to taste a piece of Diana’s favorite comfort food.
Many people report making the dessert as a way to feel connected to the princess’s memory. Food blogger Sarah Mitchell shares, “There’s something so moving about making the same dessert that brought Diana such joy. Every time I make it, I think about how food can be such a source of comfort and happiness, no matter who you are.”
The enduring popularity of this story shows how Diana’s relatability continues to resonate with people worldwide. In a world of Instagram-worthy desserts and elaborate food trends, her love for simple bread and butter pudding feels refreshingly authentic.
FAQs
What was Princess Diana’s favorite dessert?
Princess Diana’s favorite dessert was bread and butter pudding, which she would always request seconds of whenever it was served at Kensington Palace.
Who was Princess Diana’s personal chef?
Darren McGrady served as Princess Diana’s personal chef at Kensington Palace after her divorce from Prince Charles.
Was Diana’s favorite dessert featured in any movies?
Yes, bread and butter pudding appeared in the 2021 film “Spencer,” starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana.
Why did Princess Diana love such a simple dessert?
Diana’s love for bread and butter pudding reflected her down-to-earth personality and preference for comfort foods that felt warm and familiar rather than elaborate or pretentious.
Can you make the royal bread and butter pudding recipe at home?
Yes, Darren McGrady has shared his royal bread and butter pudding recipe publicly, allowing home cooks to recreate Diana’s favorite dessert.
What made McGrady’s bread and butter pudding special?
McGrady used high-quality ingredients like day-old brioche, heavy cream, and demerara sugar to create a luxurious version of the classic British comfort dessert.
