Why Baked Rice Pudding?

Ah-ha, that old question – I get asked that at least once a week 😜!

Basically, there are two very different versions of Rice Pudding. Firstly, One version of rice pudding is made in a saucepan and is very similar to a Rice pudding pot, it’s thick, soft and tasty. Secondly, there is the Traditional British Rice Pudding, it never goes out of style, it’s delicious, tasty and is unquestionably guaranteed to satisfy!

Above all, its so very straightforward to make, and particularly, if you’ve already got the oven on for some baking or to cook something tasty for dinner you can just put this right in there and leave it until its cooked!

The Origins of this Rice Pudding Recipe

This vegan baked rice pudding recipe is an adaptation of a dessert I used to serve in my pastry chef days at Chewton Glen.  Each fruit gets roasted individually and then flambéed with its appropriate alcohol – Poire William for pear, calvados for apple, kirsch for cherries etc.  It is then served in a delicate handmade pastry ‘bowl’ with an equally delicate pastry spoon and a scoop of freshly made ice-cream.

Because, after all, who has time for all that faff??!

Rice pudding in the oven?

Yes! Thats one of the things that makes this recipe so special. Simply grease a baking dish, mix your almond milk, Sweet Freedom Fruit Syrup, nutmeg and vanilla then pour into your buttered dish. Sprinkle in the rice and leave it the heck alone for a while. Such a simple recipe and one of those dishes that makes you make all kinds of noises when you eat it! Its also expands in your belly to leave you super satisfied.

Funny Story. Our friend “Big Pete” once ate many, many bowls of this just before a long journey home. Halfway home he hit the Rice Pudding Wall as it expanded and he actually called us to complain! After that he always wears stretchy pants when he visits! So, if you’re looking for a super tasty and filling dessert, look no further.

Toppings for Rice Pudding

One of the beauties of this Rice Pudding recipe is you can top it off with whatever fruits you have to hand and/or whatever’s right in season.  For us, currently it’s strawberries, nectarines and plums.  Three of my all time favourite fruits with the addition of a few orange segments for some extra zing!  Not sure how to segment an orange – here’s a great video!

We’ve added the truly wonderful stuff that is Sweet Freedom Fruit Syrup, I’ve used it in both the pudding itself and to add a little extra sticky sweetness to the very seasonal fruits. All the sweetness of honey or maple syrup but made from just natural fruit extracts.  It’s also free from all 14 major food allergens.

There is no better flavour and texture combinations than rich, creamy rice pudding and sweet sweet fruit.  And the smell of all of this while it’s cooking.  Literal heaven in all it’s sweet fruity glory.

If you make this Baked Rice Pudding, or any of the recipes from The Cook & Him we’d LOVE to see!  Just snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #thecookandhim and tagging @thecookandhim in the photo itself (as this guarantees that we’ll see your picture! ❤)

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for even more recipe inspiration and chat, competitions, behind the scenes and so much more!

If you make this recipe or any of the recipes from The Cook & Him we’d LOVE to see! Just snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #thecookandhim and tagging @thecookandhim in the photo itself (as this guarantees we’ll see your picture!)

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram , Facebook or Twitter for even more recipe inspiration and chat, competitions, behind the scenes and so much more!