Halloween festivities aren’t complete without a ghoulish recipe or two. Would you ever guess this Swampy Frog Egg Pudding is a modern spin on a classic dessert gone to the dark side? Gluten-free, dairy-free and fright-filled.
This spooky Hallween recipe is sponsored by Sprouts. All opinions are my own.
My mind is so full of ideas for fall recipes I think I’ll never have the time to share them all! And though I’ve created a respectable collection of Halloween recipes, I can’t let a year pass without something new to add to the bunch.
I think the delight of Halloween foods and drinks is a distinguishing characteristic that clearly identifies it as a Halloween edible (and often something that would never be made or consumed at any other time of year). Something that makes one squirm or with some whimsy that is the essence of the holiday fun (this Jack o Lanterns fruit dessert pizza comes to mind).
You would not believe how many months beforehand my mind starts working overtime to think of something new, fun and unexpected. I never like to do the same things twice and I deliberately try not to see what other things are popping up on the internet to keep my own train of thought on the track.
Swampy Frog Egg Pudding is actually a simple non-dairy tapioca recipe using multiple colors and sizes of tapioca pearls to create both the eggs and the color. For those who have enjoyed Bubble Tea, the large white eggs are Boba tapioca pearls. They are combined with regular size white and green pearls which become translucent as they cook making a cool texture and visual appearance.
I toyed with this recipe for an entire weekend to find just the right mix of appearance, texture and flavor for the occasion. Non-dairy tapioca pudding, or better described tapioca pudding made with water instead of milk has a more gelatinous consistency. It’s like jello, though stickier, and perfect for this ghoulish treat!
Ironically there is no added coloring in the recipe. The combination of the green tapioca in the mix creates the swampy green shade. I used Sprouts granulated sugar which has a naturally fine consistency more like a baker’s sugar, which dissolves very quickly. I suggest using clear vanilla extract if possible which can be found at stores featuring baking supplies or online; regular vanilla works well too though the color will change the pudding shade a bit.
The green tapioca and large boba pearls are most commonly found at a grocery store including Asian grocery items or online. There are many colors of both the smaller tapioca and the boba (green and black too). Should you have difficulty finding the small green tapioca you can double the small white tapioca and add a bit of food coloring for the green tone. Any way you make it will be a delight!
Swampy Frog Egg Pudding
Ingredients
- 5 cups Water
- 1 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (preferably clear; available at baking supply stores)
- 1/3 c White Boba Tapioca Pearls (not instant; other colors may be substituted) *
- 1/3 cup regular White Tapioca Pearls
- 1/3 cup regular size Green Tapioca Pearls (if unavailable, white may be used and green food coloring added to the pudding) *
- 1/3 cup Sprouts Granulated Sugar (or fine-grain granulated sugar)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan combine the water and vanilla extract and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the tapioca pearls and stir well to prohibit them from sticking together. Boil over medium heat for 15 minutes. Test a Boba pearl to ensure it is cooked through (no longer hard and it will be chewy). If the tapioca is not fully cooked, cook an additional 5 minutes and test again.
- Stir in the sugar and stir until it dissolves 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and pour/spoon into individual ramekins. Place on a baking sheet to keep them upright, loosely tent with a piece of foil and place in the refrigerator until set. The color and transparency will change as the pudding solidifies.
Chef Dennnis says
How much fun is this post! I love tapioca and this would certainly add a new twist to a delicious dessert
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Janis Grummitt says
Very creative – must try this! Very appropriate as our frogs are busy filling the garden with making spring mating calls here! NO doubt frog spawn is on the way!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I absolutely love this! The color, the texture – it’s all so classically Halloween. Thank you for sharing this!
Colleen Lanin says
Not only is the look and color perfect, but the name is spot on. Frog Egg Pudding. That is so great.
Kristi says
Love this and especially the fact that no colors were added. This would be great to bring to my friends Halloween Party!
Catherine Sargent says
This is so perfect for Halloween. I didn’t know that you could buy tapioca pearls. I will have to make some of this for my party.
Toni Dash says
When tapioca is made from scratch, it is made with tapioca pearls. They are readily available in stores both in instant types as well as non-instant which this recipe uses!
Debra says
Perfect for a kid’s Halloween party and that you could make it different colors too! I love tapioca – has such a nice taste and flavor.
Toni Dash says
You definitely could. This version has no coloring added. The use of green tapioca pearls withe the white is what give the color. You could swap for other colors of tapioca or add coloring too.
Brandy says
This is such a cool idea! I would make this pudding for any Halloween party.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
Ok…I have to admit that the picture and name made me a gag a little! I bet my twins and husband would think this was such a cool recipe! They’re into gross Halloween stuff!
Toni Dash says
LOL! Well Lisa it seems I’ve done my job well if it made you gag! The close overhead photos with lots of texture really does test the squeamish threshold doesn’t it?! I love to create some uber creepy recipes for Halloween every year and this is definitely one of those!
Meagan says
This looks like a fun idea. My kids would get a kick out of this.
Pam says
What a fun dessert for Halloween. My kids love boba tea so I bet they would like this too. The boba pearls are their favorite part.
Liz Mays says
Haha! This is so creepy and cute. It would be super fun to serve some of these up!
Theresa says
This looks like good Halloween treat fun! I am sure it will fright and delight little goblins!
Our Family World says
My kids can’t wait this coming Halloween! I’m sure they would love this fun idea this is really unique.
Amanda Love says
That looks gross it’s the perfect dessert to have during Halloween. I am loving all the ideas and recipes you’ve been sharing for this season! Thanks for this one!
Ann Bacciaglia says
We love all things Halloween. This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. It will be perfect to serve at the kids Halloween party.
Melissa @ Married My Sugar Daddy says
My 11 year old is dying to have a halloween party and so I am collecting all the booriffic recipes I can find and this looks like it will be exactly what 11 year old boys would expect at their Halloween party! Thanks for the fangtastic recipe!
Toni Dash says
I still have memories of attending a Halloween party at his age and sticking our hands blindly into bowls of unknown things like cold spaghetti and being told it was worms, etc. Here is a whole collection of options to consider: https://boulderlocavore.com/category/holiday-2/halloween-recipes/
Rosey says
ew yuk gross! I’ve definiltey got to make this one!
Ora Lee Gurr says
I can see the look on the kids’ faces now. Since they all like tapioca lots, the first bite should convince them to enjoy. It’ll be fun to use the different sizes of tapioca. Thanks for the great recipe.
Lisa Favre says
This ghoulish recipe is an absolutely brilliant idea! My nieces would have a blast eating these!
Janell Poulette says
This is so cute and unique! I am looking for ideas for my sons Halloween party and I think we found another idea, thank you!
Crystal says
That is so perfect and so gross! The kids would love this ghoulish treat for Halloween time.
Kita Bryant says
Such a creative idea!! It’s so gross looking that my kids would have a hayday with it! haha
Toni Dash says
It is the squeamish character that makes it so right for Halloween, isn’t it?!
Louise Bishop says
We could even turn this into a science lesson about frogs! Love this recipe idea!
Toni Dash says
Excellent idea!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I have a strong feeling this one would definitely appeal to my nephews this Halloween!