Chocolate Black Rice Pudding

The good news is this delicious Chocolate Black Rice Pudding recipe is vegetarian, nut-free, gluten-free, and egg-free. With some substitutions, it can be vegan, sugar-free, and dairy-free.

Homemade Black Rice Pudding is especially nice to wake up to first thing in the morning; it makes you feel good inside and out and tastes delicious too. It’s also perfect for any season and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Black rice, the little miracle grain, may initially seem strange to eat purple rice. But when combined with chocolate and creamy milk, it becomes easy aesthetically, especially for children.

Black rice pudding is often called black rice dessert or sweet black rice. Its unique and delightful flavor profile sets it apart from traditional rice pudding made with white rice. Its properties are astonishing; one of the standout features is its high antioxidant content, which can be seen in its deep purple hue. It’s also a great source of fiber and protein.

What’s To Love?

💕 Chocolate Black Rice Pudding takes five minutes to prepare, and no oven is required.
💕 Doesn’t require any complex skills.
💕 Perfect for kids and adults alike.
💕 Tastes as good as it looks.
💕 Makes a great dessert for almost any occasion or any time of the day.
💕 Black rice has a nutty and earthy flavor that comes through in the pudding. This nuttiness is often likened to that of brown rice, but it can be more pronounced. The addition of chocolate masks it somewhat.
💕 Imparts a rich and creamy flavor, which complements the black rice’s natural nuttiness.
💕 Even after being cooked, it retains a pleasing chewiness, giving the pudding a unique texture. We think the combination of creamy and chewy textures can be quite satisfying.
💕 Black rice pudding is a delicious and somewhat luxurious dessert combining intriguing flavors and textures. It is a harmonious blend of sweet, nutty, and creamy; though unique, we think you’ll love it equally as much as we do.

Have you already tried Chocolate Black Rice Pudding? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!

Black Rice Pudding Origin

Black rice pudding, also known as “forbidden rice pudding,” originated in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and China. It was historically reserved for royalty and nobility due to its rarity and purported health benefits.

In various Southeast Asian cultures, black rice has been used for centuries in both savory and sweet dishes. Black rice pudding is a traditional dessert that highlights the unique nutty flavor and striking appearance of black rice.

While the exact origins of black rice pudding are difficult to pinpoint, it has been enjoyed as a comforting and nutritious dessert across Southeast Asia for generations. Over time, the dish has gained popularity beyond its place of origin and is now enjoyed in various parts of the world.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.

• Rice — we have tried organic and non-organic. Organic rice grains are all black-deep purple, compared to non-organic rice grains with very pale grains. The brand we use is organico, it has a gold standard award.
• Sugar — use coconut sugar because it maintains the nutty flavor that this pudding deserves.
• Milk — use a thick, creamy milk.
• Water — black rice absorbs a lot of liquid, so hot water should be on standby to prevent the pudding from becoming too thick and sticky when it’s cooking.
• Cinnamon — adds a touch of spice, which we love. We use Ceylon cinnamon in all our baking, as its flavor differs significantly from regular cinnamon in supermarkets. For extra depth of flavor, organic Ceylon cinnamon sticks are a great alternative to powder.
• Cocoa Powder — comes in natural and Dutch versions. Any unsweetened will work! The quality of the cocoa makes all the difference; the brands we like are Green & Blacks and Callebaut.
• Cloves — optional but worth adding because they add an intensely deep, sweet aroma and flavor to the pudding. Use whole cloves, not the ground variety.

For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.

Customizations

Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:

• Rice — you can experiment with other types of rice, such as brown rice or even Arborio rice.
• Milk — substitute using creamy nut milk such as cashew milk or canned coconut milk. We suggest staying away from thin milk such as rice milk and low-fat milk.
• Cocoa Powder — if you prefer using cacao powder, substitute equal amounts.

NOTE: We love the combination of these ingredients. However, we often make a super simple version that’s sugar-free with a sugar substitute and cashew milk. With just three ingredients, it’s incredibly delicious and a lifesaver if you’re looking to cut out sugar and dairy milk.

When substituting ingredients, it’s essential to remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.

If you have made the Chocolate Black Rice Pudding with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.

Best Sugar-Substitutes

Here is a list of sugar substitutes with zero impact on blood sugar. Removing the refined sugar reduces the carbohydrates to 19g per serving.

▶︎ Erythritol — ensure you buy free from GMO. Use equal amounts.
▶︎ Xylitol — ensure you buy free from GMOs, which originates from birch trees. Use equal amounts.
▶︎ Swerve — the ingredients are erythritol, oligosaccharides, and natural flavors. Use equal amounts.
▶︎ Pure Via Stevia Liquid Drops — The ingredients are pure stevia. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the amount to use.
▶︎ Yummy Sweet Sweetener — the ingredients are cyclamate, saccharin, acesulfame-k, and sucralose. It is an ideal substitute if you’re allergic to xylitol and erythritol or don’t like the taste of stevia. Use 3-4 scoops, but taste it before serving.
▶︎ Allulose — is a rare sugar naturally found in fruits, figs, etc. Use equal amounts.

NOTE: The best combinations for the Chocolate Black Rice Pudding are erythritol, xylitol, swerve, Yummy Sweet, or allulose.

Please let us know in the comments what sugar substitute you used and how much. This will help other super cooks.

Instructions – Overview

Chocolate black rice pudding is very easy to make; the tedious part waiting for it to finish slow cooking. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):

▶︎ The chocolate black rice pudding is very easy and quick to make. After soaking the rice overnight and then rinsing it, add it to your slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, and cover it with the lid. Set the cooker to slow or auto, then leave for at least six hours.

▶︎ If possible, check the pudding for thickness at least 2–3 times. If it’s too thick and glutenous-looking, add enough hot water or hot milk to bring it to a slightly thick but not thin consistency.

For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.

Tools You’ll Need

Want to make the best Chocolate Black Rice Pudding? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:

• Slow Cooker
• Mixing Bowl to soak the rice.
• Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
• Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.

If you love the gadgets used in this recipe, you’ll love this multi-slow cooker. It’s our go-to for many of our meats, one-post, and soup recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it.

Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.

Storing

See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.

Pairing

Chocolate black rice pudding is frequently eaten as a standalone but can also easily be paired with other delicious foods. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:

▶︎ We love it as a breakfast treat, but it is equally good served with vanilla ice cream as a dessert, whether the pudding is hot or cold.

▶︎ This pudding also tastes particularly delicious with our homemade vanilla coconut yogurt when served cold.

▶︎ If you crave something super sweet, why not add pure maple syrup, raw honey, agave chocolate sauce, or your favorite sweet sauce?

More Recipes

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⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!

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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Chocolate Black Rice Pudding every time.

Your Questions Matter

Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant. If you don’t already follow us, head over to our Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with all our new recipes and articles.

For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.

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