Jelly vs. Pudding — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 29, 2024
Jelly is a clear or translucent fruit spread made by boiling fruit with sugar and pectin, while pudding is a creamy dessert made from milk, sugar, and a thickener like cornstarch.
Difference Between Jelly and Pudding
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Jelly is made primarily from fruit juice and sugar, boiled together with pectin to set into a gelatinous consistency. In contrast, pudding is a sweet or savory dish with a creamy texture, typically thickened using ingredients like cornstarch, eggs, or gelatin.
Jelly is recognized for its clear, firm texture that holds its shape well, ideal for spreading on breads and desserts. Whereas pudding has a soft, spoonable consistency that makes it a standalone dessert or a filling for pastries.
Jelly's flavor is directly derived from the fruits used in its preparation, leading to a tart and sweet taste. On the other hand, pudding can vary widely in flavor, from chocolate and vanilla to butterscotch and fruit, depending on the added ingredients.
Jelly is often used as a topping or a component in various desserts and snacks, providing a fruity sharpness. Meanwhile, pudding is typically served as a dessert by itself, often garnished with toppings like whipped cream or fruit.
The preparation of jelly involves cooking fruit juices with sugar until the natural or added pectin causes the mixture to set upon cooling. In contrast, pudding preparation usually involves cooking the mixture at a controlled temperature to achieve the desired thickness without curdling.
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Comparison Chart
Base
Fruit juice
Milk or cream
Thickener
Pectin
Cornstarch, eggs, or gelatin
Texture
Firm and gelatinous
Creamy and soft
Usage
Spread or dessert component
Standalone dessert or filling
Flavor Source
Natural fruit flavors
Varied, including artificial flavors
Compare with Definitions
Jelly
A fruit spread made from sugar, pectin, and fruit juice cooked to a gel state.
I spread some grape jelly on my toast this morning.
Pudding
A dish that can be either sweet or savory, thickened usually with starch.
The restaurant serves a savory bread pudding as a side dish.
Jelly
A gelatinous substance used in desserts and culinary applications.
The jelly wobbled on the plate as I carried it to the table.
Pudding
A term used in some regions to describe desserts in general.
What kind of pudding shall we have for the party?
Jelly
A clear or slightly opaque dessert made by adding flavors and sweeteners to gelatin.
We had strawberry jelly for dessert last night.
Pudding
A creamy dessert made from milk, sugar, and a thickener.
Chocolate pudding is my favorite dessert.
Jelly
A term used to describe something that has a gel-like consistency.
The substance had a jelly-like feel to it.
Pudding
A dessert with a soft, spoonable texture.
We enjoyed vanilla pudding with our dinner.
Jelly
A condiment often used in sandwiches and baking.
She made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the picnic.
Pudding
A food item used as a filling or topping.
She topped the cake with lemon pudding for extra flavor.
Jelly
A soft, semisolid food substance with a resilient consistency, made by the setting of a liquid containing pectin or gelatin or by the addition of gelatin to a liquid, especially such a substance made of fruit juice containing pectin boiled with sugar.
Pudding
A sweet, soft dessert, often with a base of milk or cream thickened by flour, cornstarch, or a cereal product, that has been boiled, steamed, or baked
Chocolate pudding.
Rice pudding.
Jelly
Something, such as a petroleum ointment, having the consistency of a soft, semisolid food substance.
Pudding
An edible mixture with a soft, puddinglike consistency
Corn pudding.
Jelly
A shapeless, pulpy mass
The hero's laser zapped the monster, turning it to jelly.
Pudding
A sweet dish eaten at the end of a meal; dessert.
Jelly
Something, such as a body part, that has suddenly become limp or enervated
Her knees turned to jelly when she learned she won first prize.
Pudding
A sausagelike preparation made with minced meat or various other ingredients stuffed into a bag or skin and boiled.
Jelly
A jellyfish.
Pudding
Any of various dishes, sweet or savoury, prepared by boiling or steaming, or from batter.
Jelly
A jelly sandal.
Pudding
A type of cake or dessert cooked usually by boiling or steaming.
Jelly
To cause to have the consistency of jelly.
Pudding
A type of dessert that has a texture similar to custard or mousse but using some kind of starch as the thickening agent.
Jelly
To acquire the consistency of jelly
The consommé jellied in the refrigerator.
Pudding
Dessert; the dessert course of a meal.
We have apple pie for pudding today.
Jelly
A dessert made by boiling gelatine, sugar and some flavouring (often derived from fruit) and allowing it to set, known as "jello" in North America.
Pudding
(slang) An overweight person.
Jelly
A clear or translucent fruit preserve, made from fruit juice and set using either naturally occurring, or added, pectin. Normally known as "jam" in Commonwealth English but see redcurrant jelly and jeely
Pudding
(slang) Entrails.
Jelly
Clipping of jelly coconut
Pudding
(obsolete) Any food or victuals.
Jelly
A savoury substance, derived from meat, that has the same texture as the dessert.
Pudding
A piece of good fortune.
Jelly
Any substance or object having the consistency of jelly.
Calf's-foot jelly
Pudding
A species of food of a soft or moderately hard consistence, variously made, but often a compound of flour or meal, with milk and eggs, etc.
And solid pudding against empty praise.
Jelly
(zoology) A jellyfish.
Pudding
Anything resembling, or of the softness and consistency of, pudding.
Jelly
A pretty girl; a girlfriend.
Pudding
An intestine; especially, an intestine stuffed with meat, etc.; a sausage.
Jelly
A large backside, especially a woman's.
Pudding
Any food or victuals.
Eat your pudding, slave, and hold your tongue.
Jelly
(colloquial) gelignite
Pudding
Same as Puddening.
Mars, that still protects the stout,In pudding time came to his aid.
Jelly
(colloquial) A jelly shoe.
Pudding
Any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes;
Corn pudding
Jelly
(India) vitrified brick refuse used as metal in building roads.
Pudding
(British) the dessert course of a meal (`pud' is used informally)
Jelly
(transitive) To make into jelly.
Pudding
Any of various soft sweet desserts thickened usually with flour and baked or boiled or steamed
Jelly
(transitive) To preserve in jelly.
Jelly
To wiggle like jelly. en
Jelly
(slang) Jealous.
Jelly
Anything brought to a gelatinous condition; a viscous, translucent substance in a condition between liquid and solid; a stiffened solution of gelatin, gum, or the like.
Jelly
The juice of fruits or meats boiled with sugar to an elastic consistence; as, currant jelly; calf's-foot jelly.
Jelly
To become jelly; to come to the state or consistency of jelly.
Jelly
A preserve made of the jelled juice of fruit
Jelly
An edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods
Jelly
A substance having the consistency of semi-solid foods
Jelly
Make into jelly;
Jellify a liquid
Common Curiosities
What is the primary ingredient in jelly?
The primary ingredient in jelly is fruit juice.
What gives pudding its creamy texture?
Pudding gets its creamy texture from milk or cream and thickeners like cornstarch.
Is pudding served hot or cold?
Pudding can be served either hot or cold, depending on the recipe.
Can jelly be used as a filling?
Yes, jelly can be used as a filling in desserts like cakes and doughnuts.
How does the flavor of pudding vary?
The flavor of pudding can vary widely from chocolate and vanilla to butterscotch or fruit flavors.
What types of fruit are commonly used to make jelly?
Common fruits used in jelly include grapes, strawberries, and raspberries.
Can pudding be made without dairy?
Yes, pudding can be made with non-dairy milks such as almond or coconut milk.
What cultural significance does pudding have?
In many cultures, pudding is a traditional dessert, often served during holidays and special occasions.
How is jelly different from jam?
Jelly is made from strained fruit juice, whereas jam includes fruit pieces.
Is pectin necessary for making jelly?
Yes, pectin is necessary for jelly to achieve its gel-like consistency.
What is the difference in texture between jelly and pudding?
Jelly has a firm, gelatinous texture, while pudding is creamy and soft.
Can jelly be made from any type of fruit?
Almost any type of fruit can be used to make jelly, but some may require added pectin.
What are some common uses for jelly?
Jelly is commonly used as a spread on breads and as a filling for pastries.
What toppings go well with pudding?
Common toppings for pudding include whipped cream, fruit slices, and nuts.
Is jelly considered healthy?
Jelly can be part of a healthy diet if consumed in moderation, though it is high in sugar.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
