This flummery recipe might bring back fond memories of a dessert your Nana made all those years ago.
Flummery is the simple, sweet dessert that we definitely shouldn’t forget about.
A dessert worth remembering
With just two ingredients and a lovely mousse-like texture, this dessert is quick, easy – and memorable.
An elderly neighbour made this for the kids a few Christmases ago, and it reminded me of something I may have enjoyed as a child.
Chances are I did enjoy this at some stage as a child. Flummery was popular in Australia in the 1970s, the decade when I arrived into the world.
At the time my neighbour made this dessert, I didn’t know the name of it. I only knew that an ingredient was jelly.
I nearly forgot about it myself until I spotted a recipe for “Flummery” in Nana Ling’s cookbook. One of the ingredients was jelly, and I had a strong feeling it might be this mystery dessert. My hunch was right.
What is Flummery?
Flummery is a super easy, two-ingredient dessert made with jelly and tinned cream.
It has a long history, though its current form is a lot sweeter than the sour porridge-like dish it started out as in 17th century Britain.
The jelly version is a product of World War II thriftiness, as people searched for creamy desserts that were also affordable. If you want to read more about it, there’s an interesting article on the SBS website.
While it may not be big on expense, it doesn’t lack flavour. It’s a pretty dessert that you can vary depending on the flavour of jelly you choose and the toppings.
You could also add some cream, custard, fruit or ice-cream.
It looks amazing layered with jelly and I also added a flummery layer to my popular Mini Christmas Trifles recipe.
Can you use other types of cream?
You’ll see below that Nana Ling’s recipe calls for a tin of Nestle cream. A couple of people have asked if thickended cream can be used instead of the tinned cream.
I’ve tested this recipe using 300ml thickened cream and the answer is “yes”. It tastes even better and holds together firm. I think I’ll be using thickened cream in future.
Have you made flummery using heavy cream or some other type of cream? Let us know the results in the comments below.
Nana Ling’s Flummery recipe
Keep scrolling for the tested and tweaked version.
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Flummery
Ingredients
- 1 packet aeroplane jelly (choose your preferred flavour)
- 250 ml tin Nestle reduced fat cream (or 300ml thickened cream)
Instructions
- Make up jelly according to the instructions and put into fridge. Also place tinned cream into the fridge.
- When the jelly is nearly set (but still able to be poured), add the cold tinned cream and beat on slow (and then med-high speed as it thickens) in a stand mixer for 5-10 minutes.
- Pour mixture into a large bowl or 6 smaller bowls to set.
- Serve with cream and fruit, or just eat it straight from the bowl.
I want a pink layer in my truffle, and can do longer buy the raspberry flavoured Instant pudding so wondered can s make a flummery with jelly & thickened cream not the tin kind?? Both double on size and thicken when whisked!! I feel like it would be much the same thing!!!
Hi Tara. I’ve been wondering the same thing as I like the flavour of thickened cream more than the tinned cream! I’m going to update this post soon and take better pics. I’ll also try the thickened cream idea and include that if it works. I’ll ping you when it’s updated (and do leave a comment and let me know how it goes it you try the thickened cream in the meantime). Thanks! Libby
Hi Tara. I tested the recipe with thickened cream and it works great – perhaps even better than with tinned cream. I’ve updated the recipe above. Libby
I would also like info on regular cream instead of tinned cream Thank you
Hi Bev – stay tuned, I’m going to test it out this weekend 🙂
Hi Bev. I tested the recipe with thickened cream and it works great – perhaps even better than with tinned cream. I’ve updated the recipe above. Libby
I always loved my nan’s flummery. It had Orange, lemon juice, passionfruit, gelatin, egg whites and flour. It was pale pink, must have added colouring. Looking forward to trying this method.
Hi Fiona. oh, your nan’s flummery sounds lovely too! Hope you enjoy this recipe 🙂
I wonder if it would work with Aeroplane brand low sugar jelly. I mix it with yogurt. Its an old Weight watchers desert. I like it and am pretty sure it’d be fine. I remember Flummery from my childhood in the 50s and 60s. Yummy
Hi! Yes, I’ve tried a few combinations now and all have worked well. I haven’t tried that particular combo, but it’d certainly be worth a try. Such a fun and delicious dessert! Happy cooking!
Is aero plane jelly just jello in the US?
Hi Nancy – yes, Aeroplane is the brand we most often use here in Australia and I believe it’s Jell-O in the US. Happy cooking 🙂 Libby
My Mum made this with a can of chilled evaporated milk.
Hi Julie. Interesting! I’ll have to test it out with evaporated milk. Thanks for commenting 🙂
I’ve only ever known to use evaporated milk and it’s so delicious! Definitely going try using thickened cream as i don’t particularly like tinned cream in sweets.
Hi Cathy. The fresh cream takes it to a whole new level! Enjoy 🙂
My mum always used evaporated milk too!
Sounds like that was a popular option too! Thanks for sharing, Jan.
My Nana made this when I was young . She used a can of evaporated milk . Make sure the can is really cold as this helps it whip up really well .It was my favourite when ever we went for tea . I’m talking back a long time ago when I was young . I’m 60 yrs old ? Yummy !!!
Hi Wendy. Yes, it’s the best and so simple. Thanks for sharing your memories ?
I can’t believe it, but the glass sweet dish you served the flummery in is the same we had in the 50 s which I still have myself ( brought from Op shop ) too many memories to leave them in the shop. Thank you.
Hi Yvonne. They were very popular sweet dishes and I picked mine up in an op shop too. I collect depression era glass and these were made by Crown Crystal Glass in Australia and the design is Harlequin. I agree -they are just so lovely. Thank you for commenting and sharing your memories x
My family came from England in 1955 and after spending time in a hostel we settled in the suburb of Melbourne and we had this delicious dessert which was made with Carnation evaporated milk and jelly,and it was the best,so now all these years later I finally get the name, so thanks to all ( who said you can’t learn more as we age)
Exactly – it’s always nice to be learning and thanks again for sharing your lovely memories 🙂
My nan use to make flummery with aeroplane jelly and tinned evaporated milk. Makes jelly first as usual and chill beat evaporated milk and chilled but pourable jelly together then place in desert bowls and chill till set. She also used evaporated milk the same way with instant dessert mix. Made it super creamy.
Hi Rochelle. Lovely memories! I’ll have to try the instant dessert mix idea – sounds great 🙂
My nana used to make this, and my sister and I have been trying to find out what it was so we could recreate it.
We knew they were thrifty, so it had to be cheap and easy to make.
So delighted I came across this recipe and story!
It’s exactly what I remember from my childhood in the 70’s.
Plenty of memories!
Hi Jeremy. Oh, that’s awesome – so pleased you found the recipe. Enjoy! 🙂