Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (2024)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·★★★★★5 from 1 review

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (1)

Really the name of this post should be Apple Cinnamon and Barley Flummery. Yup, I said FLUMMERY.

If you’re reading this from England or Ireland (don’t you love the internet?!) then you already know what flummery is. But if you’re from America, then you’re like, HUH?!

According to Wikipedia “Flummeryis a starch based sweet soft dessert pudding”. Although the word flummery is pretty fun to say I decided calling it pudding, because in my mind that’s what it is.

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (2)

Guys St, Patrick’s Day is coming up! If you have been following along with me for at least a year you know that I am obsessed with St. Patrick’s Day because I studied abroad in Ireland when I was in College. If you want to know more about my time there, or are interested in more Irish goodies check out these posts: Irish Brown Soda Bread, Leek, Potato, and Blue Cheese Soup (GF), and of course the belovedIrish Coffee!

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (3)

When it comes to thinking of recipes for St. Patrick’s Day I am not one for cupcakes dyed green with rainbows on top or cookies with shamrock sprinkles. 1) I don’t care for the chemicals of the food dye. 2) After you have lived in Ireland you find the leprechauns, rainbows, and clovers to be a little cheesy.

BTW I went to a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin. It’s insane. Picture it: people dressed up in crazy outfits that you have no idea what they are supposed to be, on stilts or dancing, or riding on a float. My favorite was a giant elephant in a wheel chair! WHAT? So random and crazy! LOVE IT!

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (4)

Anyway, if you’re like me and you want to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in a more authentic manner with a delicious recipe that’s a nod to true, REAL life Ireland, then this recipe is for you.

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Flummery Pudding is an unusual treat. It’s thick, smooth and creamy, apple-y, perfectly sweetened with honey, and has just the right amount of cinnamon. Oh, and it’s got a swirl of coconut milk for richness along with a little whiskey for a kick. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, after all! Think smooth applesauce, only rich and creamy!

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (5)

As far as I remember, and I have a good food memory, I didn’t experience any type of flummery while I was in Ireland. But when recipe planning for St. Patrick’s Day I turned to my trusty Irish cookbook.It is my life goal to try every recipe in that cookbook, because IRISH FOOD! The flummery has been a recipe I have wanted to make for a while. Guys! I am so glad I gave it a whirl. It’s an interesting and unusual sweet treat. It is dairy free, only requires 8 ingredients. It is super easy to make and can be made well ahead of time.

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day I hope you give this recipe a try!

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (6)

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Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (7)

★★★★★5 from 1 review

  • Author: Emily Koch
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 6 to 8 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: Irish, Dairy Free, Vegan
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Description

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding is sweet, rich, creamy, and smooth. It’s easy to make and can be made several days ahead of time.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pearl barley
  • 4 cups cold filtered water
  • 1 1/2 pounds (about 4 apples) sweet cooking apples, such as Gala or Honey Crisp
  • 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup honey – sub maple syrup for vegans (amount depends on how sweet your apples are; start with smaller amount)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Pinch fine sea salt
  • 5 tablespoons light coconut milk (can use full fat coconut milk for richer consistency)
  • optional: 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
  • Optional: Top withCoconut Whipped Cream

Instructions

  1. Combine pearl barley and water in a medium-sized sauce pan. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer while it is still covered.
  2. While the barley is beginning to cook, peel, core, and chop your apples into 1 inch chunks.
  3. Add the apples to the barley, return to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Simmer, covered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until apples are very tender and the barley is tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool just slightly.
  4. Transfer to a blender, working in batches, being careful not to fill the blender more than half way at a time to avoid eruptions. Blend until really smooth, about 1 minute per batch.
  5. Return the mixture to the same pot, bring to a boil, immediately remove from the heat.
  6. Stir in the remainder of your ingredients except the coconut milk and optional Irish whiskey and Coconut Whipped Cream. Make sure to taste-test as you go to add the desired amount of honey.
  7. Allow to cool slightly. Transfer to serving dishes or a bowl. Allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or until cold.
  8. Combine the coconut milk with the whiskey (if using the whiskey). Stir the coconut milk mixture into the pudding.
  9. Top with Coconut Whipped Cream, if desired. Serve chilled. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days.

Notes

Cook time does not include amount of time required for the pudding to chill in the refrigerator.

Recipe Card powered byApple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (8)

Nutrition info does not include the optional coconut whip cream topping.

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (9)

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding - Robust Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long does barley take to cook? ›

Cook the grains.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until most (or all) of the liquid is absorbed and the barley is tender with a slightly chewy texture. Pearl barley takes 25 to 30 minutes to cook, and hulled barley will take 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook.

Can you reheat, cook, and serve pudding? ›

The pudding can also be refrigerated in the pan for up to 2 days and slowly reheated over medium heat, stirring constantly, until warm.

What happens if you don't rinse barley before cooking? ›

Barley must be rinsed to remove any dust, dirt and debris just like you would with lentils for example. Preboiling removes any toxic substances that may be lurking on the barley and stops you from getting any of it.

What happens if you don't soak barley? ›

The whole-grain barley soaked overnight cooked up the next day in 35 minutes (salting made no difference in timing or texture), while the cooked-from-dry grains took only five minutes longer. Flavor-wise, there wasn't much difference. The verdict? Don't bother soaking whole grains—the payoff is barley worth the effort.

Why is my cook and serve pudding runny? ›

Pudding is usually runny because it has been stored in the refrigerator for too long or in an open space. Another cause could be due to improper cooking methods.

How long does pudding take to set? ›

Set the bowl, uncovered, in the refrigerator. After 15 minutes, cover the pudding with a sheet of plastic wrap pressed against the surface and refrigerate until fully thickened, about 2 hours. To serve: Whip the thickened pudding with a hand or stand mixer for a full minute to restore its creamy texture.

Does cooked pudding thicken as it cools? ›

It will coat the back of the spoon; test it by running your finger down the spoon. You should wipe a clear, clean line through the custard. Remove from heat. The pudding will thicken more as it cools.

Does barley need to be soaked before cooking? ›

How to prepare barley. Pearl barley does not need to be soaked before use and will become tender during the cooking process. Pot barley is best when soaked overnight in cold water, then cooked in three parts liquid to one quantity of grain.

Is barley healthier than rice? ›

Farro and barley, being whole grains, contain more fiber and health benefits than white pasta or white rice. Barley and farro are similar in that they are high in fiber and also contain protein. Fiber content allows barley and farro to play a role in lowering cholesterol and strengthening the immune system.

Does barley take longer to cook than rice? ›

It takes longer to cook barley than rice. Soaking barley, as you would legumes, for a least 4 hours before cooking will shorten the cooking time.

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