Espresso Pudding with Five Spice Chocolate Rice Krispie Batons

Luscious silky espresso pudding is the perfect make-ahead dessert for holiday entertaining. Inspired by affogato (espresso poured over vanilla gelato), the creamy roasted bold flavor of coffee is amplified and elevated with Simply Organic Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste. To top it off, a whimsical childhood favorite—the Rice Krispie treat—is infused with Simply Organic Five Spice Powder, chocolate and brown butter for a crunchy contrast. The finish, of course is a generous dollop of vanilla-scented whipped cream. These little desserts are perfect for company—they can be made ahead of time and assembled at the last minute—and who doesn’t love pudding?

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Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp sugar
⅛ tsp kosher salt
1½ cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
2 large egg yolks
2 tbsp instant espresso granules
2 tsp Simply Organic Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Whipped Cream (optional)
1½ cups heavy cream
1 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp Simply Organic Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste

Batons
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Simply Organic Five Spice Powder
½ tsp kosher salt
10 oz mini marshmallows
6 cups rice Krispie cereal
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

METHOD

In a small bowl, whisk together milk, heavy cream and egg yolks.

Whisk cornstarch, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Turn heat to medium and add milk mixture, whisking continuously. Whisk for 7-8 minutes until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in espresso granules, Simply Organic Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste and butter until fully incorporated and mixture is smooth. Transfer pudding into a bowl (or to individual serving bowls). Tightly seal with saran wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter until deep nutty brown color, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract, Simply Organic Five Spice and salt and stir to combine. Remove pan from heat and add marshmallows, stirring until smooth and combined. Add rice Krispie’s and chocolate chips and mix to combine.

Press mixture into a quarter sheet pan lightly coated with cooking spray (use wax paper to level top surface of mixture). Let stand for 15-20 minutes then cut into 4” x ¾” batons.

To make whipped cream, add cream into the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment. Whip until foamy, then add sugar and Simply Organic Vanilla Bean Paste. Continue to beat just until stiff peaks form.

To serve, spoon pudding into small bowls, finish with flaky sea salt. Add a dollop of whipped cream and place a baton on the bowl edge and serve.