My favorite childhood dessert was definitely tapioca pudding. I don’t have a memory of dessert being a mainstay of our family dinners and certainly when we had it, it was more simple. Tapioca pudding and Lemon Custard with a Pillow Top are the two desserts I really remember. And a three layer parfait creation from Jello. Never extravagant two layer cakes or pies; those were reserved for more special occasions.
I’m not sure what has happened to tapioca pudding. We buy it occasionally at our neighborhood market where they sell a wholesome, clean ingredients version that is thick, rich and creamy. Somehow it seems tapioca’s simplicity has been left in a bygone era of desserts and has been overtaken by sexier confections boasting Salted Caramel, Nutella or Dulce de Leche.
Last year around this time I purchased a collection of vintage recipes on eBay. I have a soft spot for vintage recipes as regular readers will know. I feel there are always treasures to be found usually using whole ingredients with straight forward preparations. I hate the feeling of all the ladies diligently recording their family and dinner party favorites on decorative recipes cards will be left behind in the cyber era. I think what caught my eye with this particular collection was a recipe for Vinegar Pie pictured in the auction. Curiosity piqued, I bid and won.
When I got the box it was unimpressive. Wooden with hardware store stencil letters in traditional black and gold hand applied to the top of the box spelling ‘RECIPES’. When opening the box I could immediately see interspersed between stock recipes cut outs that came with ‘Cool Whip’ and Knox gelatin, several very brown newspaper recipes, gingerly cut out with care and stored. The paper, whisper thin, felt it could disintegrate in my hands. I found several recipes showing vintage graphics causing me to guess they were from mid last century until I came upon dates in the 1930’s on many. There is something humbling for me to be handling someone’s recipes choices from nearly 100 years ago with the proposition of making them in my own kitchen.
Don’t get me wrong, in these collections are usually a number of duds. As soon as the late ‘60’s hit, the canned soup and mod, new fangled processed foods moved in creating things Michael Pollan devotees just would not entertain. However in sorting through this particular box, (which I surmise is from the St. Louis area) for the ads on the back of the newspaper cut outs, I found some gems. One that I pulled to make at this time of year was for Cranberry Tapioca. My favorite dessert coupled with a clear seasonality. I’ve been waiting almost a year to make it!
I followed the recipe exactly wanting to understand the end result. I opted out of placing it in a mold which was suggested but rather serving it free form with a whipped cream I made to compliment the flavors. Tapioca pudding is usually dairy based, using milk or cream to make it creamy. This recipe is a non-dairy recipe leaving it the consistency of a soft jello in a fabulous shade of garnet with the whimsical orbs of the prepared tapioca pearls. The flavors are simple with the cranberries slightly sweetened but not over the top. It is by no means a heavy rich dessert, but delivers more of a light, bright ending to a meal. Paired with the flavored whipped cream it has the perfect creaminess without making it heavy in the least. I suspect it would be most welcome chilled in hotter climates as well.
Recipe
Cranberry Tapioca with Orange-Nutmeg Whipped Cream
Ingredients
For the Tapioca:
- ¾ cup Tapioca pearls (uncooked)
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 3 ½ cups boiling Water
- 2 cups fresh Cranberries
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated Sugar
For the Orange-Nutmeg Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy Whipping Cream
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon Orange extract
- 1 tablespoon granulated Sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
- Garnish: grated Whole nutmeg and mint leaves
Instructions
For the Tapioca:
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine tapioca, salt and boiling water. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is clear and thickened (about 5 minutes).
- In a second medium saucepan, combine the ½ cup water and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- Add cranberries to the sugar-water mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until cranberries are softened and have popped (about 5 minutes).
- Add cranberry mixture to the tapioca. Stir to combine and cook an additional 5 minutes on medium heat; stirring constantly to avoid sticking to the pan. Remove from heat. Serve room temperature (my favorite) or chilled.
For Orange-Nutmeg Whipped Cream:
- Combine all ingredients (other than garnish) into the bowl of a standing mixer* and whip until forming soft peaks.
Serving Tapioca:
- Place desired amount of tapioca in serving bowl or glass. Add a dollop of the Orange Nutmeg whipped cream and garnish with a grating of fresh nutmeg and mint leaves.
Notes
Nutrition
Peggy says
This is an absolutely fabulous recipe! It has a light, refreshing cranberry flavor that is so wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this. It turns out beautifully every time. I do cook it longer using the large Pearl tapioca.
Brooks says
Toni, Tapioca has escaped me much of my life. Nothing intentional as much as it simply just was. I’m thinking this flavor combination for the pudding and that amazing whipped cream will change this promptly, set a new course!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Oooo, I bet between the flavor and texture, this is a party in your mouth!!
Allison Lee says
This looks delicious, and I have been wanting a new tapioca recipe. I have one question, however. Is it 3/4 cup Tapioca pearls? The measurement is missing on the recipe. Also, does it matter if they are the small pearls or the large ones? Thanks!!!
Toni Dash says
My apologies Allison! YES it is 3/4 cups. I think you can use either size. I used the larger pearls in the recipe I featured in the photos and it was great! Use whichever one you prefer. Happy holidays!
Meeling says
I love tapioca! I’ve always loved it, and thankfully it’s one of those things that will always be in my fridge when I crave it as no one else in my house seems to have the same affinity for it. I don’t think I’ve ever had non dairy based tapioca, so this sounds so very intriguing!!