Why use a slow cooker for desserts?

So many desserts benefit from long, slow cooking to allow their flavours to mingle and meld. Think poached fruit, compotes and creamy rice puddings. Here are a few tips to ensure your success:

  • If you use a poaching syrup for fruit such as pears, quinces or apples, don't discard the liquid once done. Store it in the fridge for up to two weeks and use to poach another batch of fruit.
  • If you're cooking a sponge or pudding don't lift the lid during the cooking time or the condensation will run down the sides of the cooker and create damp spots on the top of the pudding.
  • If you're cooking a steamed pudding, cover the steamer with a lid made from pleated paper and then foil to encourage it to rise as it cooks.
  • Vanilla beans are a popular addition to slow cooker desserts and can be reused for the next dessert. Simple wash, dry well and store in a well sealed container.

Rice based sweets

Take the hassle out of making perfect rice pudding by leaving this dessert to slowly cook away throughout the day. A favourite of young and old, rice pudding is delicious warm or cold and is ideal paired with canned, fresh or stewed fruit. Alternatively, try sprinkling a little cinnamon and a drizzle of cream over the pudding.

Lemony pudding

This cold weather favourite is easy to make in the slow cooker, allowing you to get dessert organised well ahead of dinner time. Made straight into the slow cooker bowl, this dessert requires no special equipment and is easy to clean up after. Allow it to stand for five minutes outside the cooker for the custard to firm up before serving.

Chocolate pudding

One of winter's favourite treats, a chocolate pudding is even simpler when it's made well ahead of time. Remember that the aim of a perfect chocolate pudding is to achieve that irresistible balance between cake and custard, so cook these recipes until the top feels just firm. Sprinkle the top of the pudding with icing sugar and serve it hot or warm with cream or ice cream.

Custard desserts

Although we often think that dairy and slow cookers don't mix, this recipe breaks all the rules and produces a creamy custard that is perfect for pairing with canned, fresh or stewed fruit.

Other recipes worth trying

There's a wealth of other slow cooker desserts to try, and here are a couple to get you started. If you want to try adapting your own recipes, look for recipes that benefit from long, slow cooking, like baked apples, bread puddings or steamed puddings.

 

For more ideas, take a look at our Dessert Recipes Collection.