Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Butterscotch Apples

Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Butterscotch Apples is a rich and creamy rice pudding made in your slow cooker. It’s made with whole milk and evaporated milk and served with a delicious sweet butterscotch apple compote. It’s a comforting dessert that will take you right back to your childhood.

Why should I make Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Butterscotch Apples?

Slow Cooker Rice Pudding is a rich and creamy dessert. It involves very few ingredients and very little effort to make but the resulting dessert is outstanding. The Butterscotch Apples are also simple to make. And the butter sweet caramel sauce contrasts perfectly with the sharp apples.

Why is this Rice Pudding not white?

The creamy colour of my Slow Cooker Rice Pudding comes mainly from the evaporated milk in the recipe. Long slow cooking allows the natural sugars in the milk to caramelise. And this provides not only the colour but an amazing flavour to this rice pudding.

What ingredients will I need?

• Butter
• Pudding rice
• Whole milk
• Evaporated milk 
• Sugar
• Apples
• Butter
• Light brown sugar

What kind of rice do I need?

In the UK short grain rice is sold as ‘pudding rice’. If you can’t get specifically named pudding rice then look for other kinds of short grain rice. Short grain rice absorbs large amounts of liquid so risotto or paella rice is a good substitute.

I don’t have any evaporated milk what can I substitute?

If you don’t have evaporated milk then you can substitute either single (half and half) or double (heavy) cream. If you don’t have any cream then simply make up the quantity with more whole full-fat milk.

What are Butterscotch Apples?

Butterscotch Apples are apple pieces that are fried in butter and sugar to create a sweet caramelised apple compote. The butter adds a rich and delicious flavour to the sweet caramelised apples.

What kind of apples should I use?

Use tart dessert apples for the best results. Apples such as Granny Smiths or Braeburns will hold their shape during cooking and have enough acidity to cut through the sweet butterscotch.

What other kind of toppings are good with rice pudding?

Lots of other toppings are great to accompany rice pudding, here are some ideas:

• Jam is a traditional topping for rice pudding. Add a spoonful of Strawberry Jam or Apricot Jam to each bowl of Slow Cooker Rice pudding.
• Try different kinds of fruit compote with rice pudding. Plum Compote is a good choice as the slight sharpness of the plums works well with the sweet creamy rice. In summer Peach Compote is a great choice and in winter try Dried Fruit Compote with Clementines.
• Fresh or poached pears make a light and fresh addition to this dessert.

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Your Slow Cooker makes the rice pudding and it will keep warm on a low heat for up to two hours.

If you want to make the rice pudding the day before then remove the dish from the slow cooker when there is still a bit of liquid remaining. Cover the dish and leave it to cool for 30 minutes before storing it in the fridge.

How do I reheat rice pudding?

I find the best way to reheat rice pudding is in the microwave. Heat for 3 minutes on full power then stir. Heat for another 1 or 2 minutes until it is evenly warmed.

If you don’t have a microwave, spoon the pudding into a saucepan and heat slowly stirring. If the texture is too thick add more milk and stir through.

Can I cook the rice pudding directly in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can put the rice pudding ingredients directly into the slow cooker. It may cook a little more quickly as than in the dish, so do check after 3 hours to see if the milk has been absorbed.

I prefer to cook this rice pudding in a dish and use the bain-marie (water bath) method as I like the creamy texture that this more gentle cooking method creates.

Can I freeze Slow Cooker Rice Pudding?

Yes, you can freeze rice pudding.  The texture of the pudding may change slightly but it will not affect the taste. Freeze the rice pudding in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost the rice pudding in the fridge and reheat gently in a saucepan, or in the microwave.

Vegetarian

Slow Cooker Rice Pudding with Butterscotch Apples is suitable for vegetarians.

Gluten Free

All of the ingredients in this recipe are gluten free. Please check any packets to ensure that the products have not been packed in an environment that may include gluten products.

How should I serve Slow Cooker Rice Pudding?

Serve the rice pudding warm as it is, or with a spoonful of the butterscotch apples on top. Or let the rice cool and serve at room temperature with fresh fruit salad or another topping of your choice.

More Comfort Food Desserts

Sometimes only familiar comfort food desserts hit the spot, especially in winter. Here are some other recipe ideas for you to try:

Classic Apple Crumble is a traditional and very popular warm apple dessert. Soft sweet apples are topped with a crisp buttery crumble topping to make one of the simplest desserts and one that makes everyone smile.

Slow Cooker Scottish Cloutie Dumpling is an updated recipe for a delicious traditional Scottish steamed ‘pudding’ dessert. It tastes exactly as it should, retaining all the expected flavours but I make it in my slow cooker for maximum convenience.

Peach and Rhubarb Upside Down Cake is really moist and the perfect dessert cake.  Eat it warm or cold as a dessert with cream, yogurt, custard or ice cream.  It is also just as nice as a slice of cake with a cup of tea or coffee.

PIN FOR LATER

This recipe was first published in February 2013.