Easy Crockpot Rice Pudding

Rich and creamy!

Traditionally, rice pudding is either oven-baked or cooked on top of the stove.  This one just cooks in the crockpot for a couple of hours. All you have to do is put a few ingredients into your slow cooker, turn it on and...go take a nap! Hehe!

Anyway, the last few nights, I've been craving some rice pudding, but in this heat, there was no way I was going to turn my oven on or stand over a boiling pot on the stove. Not me! Time to search the "webber-net" for an easier way to satisfy this hunger. Turns out my efforts were not in vain! 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup long-grain white rice

4 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter

1 tsp. cinnamon (if desired)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions:

Rinse rice under cold water. (This removes excess starch)

Add all ingredients into the crockpot and mix until sugar is dissolved.

Set temperature to high and let cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until rice is cooked and liquid is creamy.

Yields: 4 good size servings

A Tip from Grammy:

-Additions include raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips or cut up fruit.

-Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.

-Cooking time may vary depending on you slow cooker. Check it after 10-15 minutes to ensure it's just a light simmer, not a boil.

Be encouraged!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 

                                                                                                   -2 Corinthians 3:17

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

Indulge in this delicious dessert!

I've made the Lemon Ooey Gooey Brownies before and they were a hit with the whole family!  Then I found this chocolate version and you all know I can't resist chocolate "anything"!

The "Neiman Marcus Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake" is not actually sold by Neiman Marcus and is instead a variation of a St. Louis classic called "gooey butter cake". Gooey butter cake is believed to have originated accidentally in the 1930's during the Great Depression due to a baker's mistake. The name "Neiman Marcus" is used because the cake is rich and decadent, reminiscent of the luxury department store.

The funny thing is no one seems to agree on what the name of this cake should be.

Let's just call it the Neiman Marcus/St. Louis Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, the chocolate version.  See, that works...whew, just saying that has made me hungry now!

But, seriously, you won't care what it's called because it's so easy to make and tastes to rich and delicious!

Hot out of the oven

Ingredients:

Bottom Cake Layer:

1 box (18 1/4 oz.) chocolate fudge cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened 

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped nuts, if desired

Top Layer:                                                         

4 cups confectioners' sugar

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350'F.  Grease (or use a non-stick spray) a 13x9" baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix with 1 egg and butter; mix until smooth. Pat mixture into prepared baking pan. (Mixture is thick)

Sprinkle with the chocolate chips (and chopped nuts, if desired) evenly over the cake-crust in the pan.

In a separate bowl, mix together the icing sugar, cream cheese and the remaining 2 eggs until well blended; pour over the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the nuts.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let cake cool before cutting.  Serve warm or cold.

Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, but should be refrigerated after that for up to 5-7 days to preserve quality and prevent the cream cheese from spoiling.

A Tip from Grammy:

-Try using different flavored cake mixes like lemon, spice, strawberry...etc.

-A German Chocolate cake mix with chopped pecans is another idea.

Be encouraged!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  -1 John 1:9