Let’s see a show of hands here: who was totally weirded out by rice pudding or bread pudding growing up? Come on now, be honest!
All I know is that my first memory of either was that they were completely weird. I didn’t like them. I whined, I cried, and I denounced their creamy glory. I’m not proud, but I feel it’s important to be genuine on here. So there you go: I wasn’t always the perfect foodie!
These days I crave bread pudding like you wouldn’t believe, and just recently rediscovered rice pudding while thumbing through some of the recipes I unearthed in Oklahoma. It’s just part of who I am!
The best part of all? It’s made in a crock pot, so you can start it quickly before you start dinner (assuming you have already-cooked rice) and have it ready to serve shortly after. Oh, and you can make a healthy version too. Who says I never make anything healthy on here? 😉
I mean really though, rice pudding is creamy, decadent, hearty, and completely filling. You can make it VERY unhealthy and you can make it extremely healthy – that’s completely up to you. But the fact remains the same: it’s delicious. I made a healthier version (almost vegan in fact! Mama Pea would be proud…) so I actually ate mine for breakfast, scoop of ice cream and all.
Dessert for breakfast? Sign me up!
This photo makes me want to go back for seconds. And thirds. Heck, I’ll just bring the whole crock pot bowl up here with me…
HARVEST RICE PUDDING
- 3 cups cooked rice (you can certainly use brown rice)
- 2 cups milk (any milk will do)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs, beaten (I used flax eggs (1 egg = 1 Tbsp ground flax mixed with 3 Tbsp water) and they were fabulous)
- 3 Tbsp melted butter (Earth Balance worked great in mine)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla (I’m dreaming of adding vanilla bean paste one day…)
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup each of dried cranberries, chopped dried apples, and chopped dried apricots (or choose whatever dried fruit you prefer)
Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook at the high setting for 1-2 hours, depending on the consistency desired. Serve hot OR cold (whoa versatility!!!) with ice cream or just plain.
But ice cream is better. Ice cream is always better.
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*raising hand*
now that i am older and more cultured (haha) i love bread and rice puddings! this looks delectable.
<3
I used to hate rice pudding, and used to hate when it got served at school. It freaked me out when people actually requested a bit of the skin on their portion. My mum makes it in the slow cooker, and am happy to say that I have now come around to rice pudding (although the skin still freaks me out!)
I still don’t like bread pudding though, but I think thats because I don’t like raisins in things.
Neither one blows my skirt up, but if I had to choose, I’d pick bread pudding. 🙂
Hm.. I’ve never had rice pudding. Yours looks delicious, though, and if I’m assured a scoop of ice cream on top… I guess I’ll just have to try some… 😉
Yum! I’ve never tried rice pudding before, but this looks great!
Looks awesome, Heather, and I’ll bet flax would work in place of eggs, too.
Rice pudding and bread pudding are two of my favorites! So delicious and perfect for cold mornings.
I’ve never had rice pudding but I guess I can imagine it tasting something close to oatmeal? Sounds delicious! can’t wait to try it!
I don’t think I ever had rice pudding when I was growing up. But, when I had some leftover rice last year, I gave it a try and LOVED it… Although this recipe looks even better! (:
This looks INCREDIBLE!!!
I grew up in a rice pudding loving family so I always thought it was delicious. With a splash of cream and bit of cinnamon? Seriously good stuff. Therefore, I cannot wait to try this one. Looks delicious 😀
*DROOLING*. I bet vanilla bean paste would be amazing! Also a choc variety would also be fantastic 🙂
I’ve had rice pudding for breakfast only once before. I love how it’s made in the crockpot. I’d love my crockpot to be used every day if it saved me time.
Oooooh, I would LOVE this. The colors from the dried fruit are so pretty!! 🙂
I have never tried rice pudding nor do I think I want to. Now bread pudding on the other hand is simply delicious!! By the way I’m having a GIVEAWAY over in my neighborhood!!!
That ice cream mound on top is calling my name.
I still cringe at both rice and bread puddings. Those are sweet things that are NOT my thing. Shocking, I know. LOL
I loved rice pudding as a kid. My mom made it as a special treat when we had leftover rice and I’d eat it for breakfast. I loved it even more in the DR where I studied abroad–but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make rice pudding as creamy as Dominican arroz con leche!
Rice pudding is awesome. My mother used to give it to us kids on really cold days when we live in VT.
I love rice pudding. I remember mom would always make it after dinners where we had lots of rice leftover. This looks yummy, and of course Ice cream ALWAYS makes everything better 🙂
This does look perfect for breakfast!!! Or dessert…or any meal!! 🙂
I’ve always LOVED bread pudding, but rice pudding did freak me out a little when I was little– I think it was the raisins.
My mom made rice pudding all the time growing up. I love it!
Your recipe looks delicious 🙂
i actually have always disliked rice but loved rice pudding (i still don’t like rice!). and yes, ice cream is ALWAYS better:-)
Surprisingly I loved rice pudding growing up. Raisin rice pudding was a special treat my dad would occasionally make for breakfast. I can still remember waking up to the smell of cinnamon and knowing dad was cooking something special.
Your recipe looks delicious. I will have to tuck it away for a weekend treat.
I’ve actually never had rice pudding… ever. But it sure does look delish.