On a cold winter’s day, there’s nothing better than a delicious, cosy pudding to warm the cockles, and rice pudding ticks all the boxes in terms of comfort food. As desserts go, it’s always had a bit of a bad rap, but rice pudding doesn’t have to be a claggy, flavourless mess, carelessly slapped on a plate. Made right, it’s a delicious serving of creamy nostalgia and a great base for customisation, whether served with a simple dollop of jam or even a twist of lemon.

Today, we were feeling the need for extravagance so dreamed up this delicious black forest inspired version. Made with rich, chocolate Oatly milk and served with sweet cherries and a drizzle of Oatly single cream, it’s decadence in a bowl.

The recipe is a bit of a work in progress as I wasn’t entirely sure how much milk was needed at first, but despite this, it’s definitely worth trying out as the results are so delicious.

In terms of preparation it will take a matter of minutes, it’s the time in the oven that requires a little patience, but, as we all know, good things come to those who wait, and this is definitely a good thing!

Ingredients…

(Serves 4-6)

100g pudding rice

50g caster sugar

1tbs cocoa powder

900ml chocolate Oatly milk

Vitalite Dairy Free spread for greasing

To serve

Oatly single cream

3tbs Frozen sweet cherries

How to…

1. Preheat the oven to 160/140 °C. Grease a large ovenproof dish with the Vitalite. Mix the sugar and rice together then sieve the cocoa powder and mix too.
2. Put the dry ingredients in the dish and pour on 250ml of the chocolate Oatly. Put in the oven for 40 minutes.
3. Stir the pudding thoroughly, add another 100ml of milk and cook for 30 minutes.
4. Stir thoroughly again and add 150ml of milk. Put back in the oven for another 30 minutes.
5. Again, stir the pudding then add 100ml of milk and put in the oven for 20 minutes.
6. Stir the pudding before adding 150ml of milk and baking for another 20 minutes.
7. Stir again then add the last of the milk and cook for a final 20 minutes.
8. Using the defrost setting on a microwave, heat the cherries for approximately 90 seconds. Spoon on top of the pudding and drizzle on Oatly single cream.