Rhubarb crumble, spotted dick and figgy pudding among traditional British desserts dying out

From rhubarb crumble to spotted dick, millennials are turning their backs on traditional puddings, putting the sweet desserts at risk of dying out.

In their quest to seek out healthier options, youngsters are forgoing the sticky deliciousness of great British puddings in favour of fruit or other sugar-less sweet treats.

A quarter of millennials have never tasted a flan, while Eton mess and banoffee pie remains a mystery to just over a fifth (21%.)

Other classics such upside down pineapple cake and rum baba are unknown to those aged 23 to 38, and one in six say at least 11 years have passed since they last ate the classic kids party combo - jelly and ice cream.

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The study, of 2,000 adults in association with Northwest Cherries, also found a fifth of millennials have never tried a pavlova.

Meanwhile, almost a fifth have no idea what a fruit cake tastes like and 16% haven't enjoyed the delicious richness of the 70s classic, black forest gateau.

Even sticky toffee pudding - a go-to for many - remains untasted by 7% of the under 38s.

In other concerning news for the humble pud, more than one in 10 admitted to NEVER having dessert at home, with four in 10 feeling guilty if they succumb to the temptation a post-dinner pud.

Instead, a fifth are opting for fruit to round off a meal at least twice-a-week.

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Other reasons millennials are steering clear of the dessert cart include feeling too full (54%), if no-one else is having one (29%) and preferring to have fruit instead (17%).

And for those who pass up on pud, 23% have unhealthy treats but in moderation, while three in 10 will look to see what others are doing before deciding on a sweet or savoury finish to their meal.

Almost half of those in their twenties and thirties want to see restaurant menus widened to include healthier after dinner alternatives, so they could pick something guilt-free if they wanted to.

Surprisingly, the older generation aren’t always partial to a sweet and sticky pud either, with almost a quarter of those aged 61 and over claiming they’d pick a piece of fruit over a dessert, compared to just 15% of millennials.

Desserts millennials have never eaten

Rum baba – 59%
Figgy pudding – 56%
Spotted dick – 36%
Pineapple upside down cake – 36%
Flan – 26%
Eton mess – 21%
Banoffee pie – 21%
Rhubarb crumble – 19%
Knickerbocker glory – 19%
Pavlova – 18%
Fruit cake – 17%
Battenburg cake – 17%
Black Forest Gateau – 16%
Arctic roll – 15%
Rice pudding – 14%
Bakewell tart – 13%
Roly poly – 13%
Trifle – 12%
Chocolate sponge and custard – 11%
Jelly and ice cream – 7%
Sticky toffee pudding – 7%
Apple pie – 6%