"Whether you're looking for recipes for weaning or cooking with toddlers, this is an all year round favourite in our house. On hot summer days you can enjoy it cold, and heat it up for the cooler months. This scrumptious recipe has no added sugar and is naturally sweetened with cherries and coconuts."
Some of the fondest memories I have with my mother and grandmother are of us in the kitchen, learning family recipes, secret ingredients and how I will never forget the smells that came out of our oven!!
Sensory Experience
We are a boutique fashion label creating mum and daughter matching outfits, and we want to show you how baking with kids, and also cooking with kids can be fun and a great sensory experience for them.

Dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose free and free from nasties
Weaning recipes & when to introduce to cooking for kids
TIPS FOR COOKING WITH TODDLERS:
- Let them feel each ingredient separately and explain what each one is
- Let them pour ingredients in together (step 1)
- Let them see how it all starts to comes together during the cooking process, and how it transforms from rice and liquids to pudding texture
General Rules:
- Always have something on hand for them to play with. It will save lots of mess and frustration. E.g. measuring spoons, measuring jugs.
- I measure my ingredients before hand. I find Maeve enjoys the mixing parts most and gets bored (and therefore destructive) if she isn't getting involved.
- Please always take care when your kids are in the kitchen. We are only providing advice from a mum's point of view and you should never leave children around sharp objects or unattended.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: Makes between 4 - 6 small servings
Great for: Kids aged 6 months and over**
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup of pudding rice (or risotto rice if you can't find pudding rice)
- 450ml oat milk (we like Oatly)
- 100ml coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1/4 vanilla pod)
- 100g cherries (carefully pitted and finely chopped)
METHOD:
1. Place all ingredients together in a saucepan (heavy bottomed or wide as the mixture tends to boil and overflow) and mix together.
2. Bring to the boil then reduce to an extremely low simmer. Check on every 5 minutes to make sure it doesn't over flow and to give it a stir.
3. After 20 - 25 minutes add in the chopped cherries and stir through.
4. Once all the milk is absorbed and the rice is cooked through, around 30 minutes, take off the heat.
5. Serve warm or see notes below for freezing
Freezing notes
It's best frozen in individual airtight containers. To defrost, leave out at room temperature and reheat gently in the microwave or saucepan. If it's dry add a little milk and stir through.
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We love to see and hear from all our mother daughter baking duos - tag us on Instagram @maeve.and.me to be featured with your creations!!
** What to feed your baby - NHS