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Before I begin, the image accompanying this post is most definitely not a bowl of Bird’s Instant Hot Crunch Pudding, but it’s the closest I could find so it will have to do.
Bird’s are best known for their instant custard powder (quite how a pink powder generates a yellow custard is a mystery to me!) but in the 1980’s they also made a wide range of other instant pudding mix products. Â They still make the lovely Angel Delight today, and of course Trifle mixes, but back then they also had a range of packet mousses (if memory serves me right) and also these hot puddings.
The Hot Crunch Pudding came in a packet containing two sachets. Â The first contained a powder which when mixed with hot water from the kettle became a gloopy custard like pudding. Â Once this was decanted into individual bowls the second sachet came into play. Â This contained a crunchy topping, a bit like biscuit crumbs or the top of an apple crumble, which could be sprinkled over the pudding to give it some added texture.
For an instant packet mix the Hot Crunch Pudding was actually quite tasty despite being so easy to make. Â I believe it was available in three flavours, these being Banana (basically custard), Lemon (not a particularly zingy lemon if I remember right) and chocolate (my personal favourite). Â I have no idea when it disappeared from our shops or why, so I guess the closest you’ll get to it today is to make some custard and smash a few digestives over the top…
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For a long time I thought I had made the memories of this dessert up in my head. Glad to know that I am not crazy and that it did exist. This was my favourite thing to eat when I was sick or in front of the telly on a Saturday night. Every one else in my house hated it, I thought it was delicious. The banana one was beyond heaven. I too have tried to recreate it. The closest I came was crumbling a digestive into a pot of Ambrosia custard. I haven’t tried it with banana custard, but I shall. I do hope Birds bring this back. Its the ultimate comfort food!
I’m so pleased to have finally found this, for years I have been trying to find out what this was called, but remembered it being a chocolate mix you added water and poured crumble biscuit on top. It was delicious. Disappeared without any explanation, was so sad I would ask my mum every week if it had come back in again! Eventually gave up but never stopped craving it. Bring it back birds… signed the petition. Looking forward to attempting some of the alternatives you have suggested xx
I last ate the birds chocolate crunch when i was pregnant in 1999. Never saw it again after that. I bloody loved it.
This came to mind earlier today – could I remember its name? Nope – But Reddit came to my rescue! Bird’s Instant Hot Crunch Pudding! They really do need to bring this back!
I rember this now
my nana would make it for me amazing lol I just was so young I couldn’t rember the name of it thank you for bringing back happy memories 
I used to love this. Every time I feel cold I wish for this dessert
Bring it back BIRDS………..
Hi I loved this pudding can we buy it any more any were
Lemon was my fave. After finding this post I had to check the birds website. Nothing like it any more. Shame
I remember this too and thought I had imagined it because nobody else had heard of it. It was delicious and I haven’t been able to make anything as tasty as I remember this being.
Hi i dont know if any of you know but from the comments i think you might!
im looking for a recipe for banana fudge crunch does any one have it? i have been looking all over the internet and cant seem to find it!
if any one has the recipe could you please send it over.
many thanks
Janice.
I loved this,used to work at Tesco and bought packets of the Lemon one whih I think had a ginger biscuit crumb…yum..You can buy Banana and chocolate custard in little pots (sadly not the packets that you add hot water to anymore,not seen them for years) but not lemon
It was so yummy,def should bring this back.We should make a petition! 