Glorified rice isn’t old-fashioned – it’s retro! And it’s a fun dessert salad recipe you’ll really get a kick out of.
There’s pineapple, cream, marshmallows, and cherries for fruity flavor. Meanwhile, the rice adds a nice texture against all these sweets.
So, dust off your granma’s finest serving bowl, and check out this recipe for glorified rice today!
Old-Fashioned Glorified Rice
I know it seems a little wacky, but this old-fashioned recipe is a must-make.
It’s kind of like cold rice pudding with some fun extras mixed in for good measure.
It’s textural, sweet but not too sweet, and a cinch to make.
Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover rice!
Ingredients
This list is short and simple, just how I like it!
Here’s everything you’ll need to make glorified rice for your next summer BBQ:
- White Rice. Use any plain white rice, from long-grain to Minute Rice. Even Arborio works well. Just pick what you like best.
- Salt. A dash of salt helps to draw out the natural sweetness from the fruit.
- Heavy Cream. For the best, most rich flavor. You can use Cool Whip if you’re in a pinch, but it will make this dessert overly sweet.
- Sugar. The fruit adds a lot of natural sweetness, so you only need a little.
- Vanilla Extract. Vanilla brings depth and sweet warmth. For the best results, reach for pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste.
- Crushed Pineapple. There’s no need for fresh pineapple today. Canned pineapple is sweet and easy to find.
- Mini Marshmallows. They add a kick of sweetness and a chewy, fluffy texture.
- Maraschino Cherries (optional). Marashino cherries are optional, but they really add a pop of flair to this recipe.
- Pecans or Walnuts (optional). If you love contrasting flavors and textures, add some nuts! Pecans and walnuts work best in this dish, but you can add whatever you like.
How to Make Glorified Rice
Glorified rice is technically a no-bake dessert. The only thing you need to cook is the rice, and that’s done on the stove.
But like fried rice, this works best as a leftover rice recipe. If you cook it fresh, you’ll need to wait for it to cool anyway.
So, if you have extra rice from last night’s dinner, that’s great!
Here’s how quickly glorified rice comes together.
1. Cook the rice. I suggest doing this the day before so it has time to cool fully.
2. Make the whipped cream. Beat the cream with the sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
3. Mix it up! Add everything to a bowl and mix gently until well blended and everything is fully coated in the cream.
4. Chill. Cover and chill in the fridge for 2-4 hours. Serve cold, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Here are some quick tips and variations to make your glorified rice the talk of the potluck.
- Drain the fruit well before adding them to the salad. If you don’t, the excess moisture will make your salad watery.
- Add citrus. If you want something a little more tart, try throwing in mandarin oranges. They’re sweet and acidic and pair perfectly with pineapples and cream.
- Try flavored marshmallows. Jet-puffed fruity miniature marshmallows work great in this dessert. Plus, they’re so colorful!
- Don’t like cherries? Use strawberries! Make sure they’re ripe and washed. Chop them into mini marshmallow-sized chunks and mix them in with the pineapple.
- Cook the rice in pineapple juice. You’ll have some in the can anyway, so why not use it to make the rice extra sweet and fruity?
- Add coconut! It’ll give the salad an extra chewy layer of goodness. Or, better yet, use coconut cream instead of whipped cream for a tropical finish.
How to Store Glorified Rice
Glorified rice keeps well in the fridge, and it’s one of those desserts that only gets better with time.
However, since it has dairy, it won’t keep forever! So, here’s everything you need to know about storing leftovers:
To Store. Place glorified rice in an air-tight container and place it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Note: Since this dessert has heavy cream, it doesn’t freeze well. Once thawed, the texture and flavors just won’t be the same.
Also, keep in mind this contains cooked rice, which must be kept cold for food safety.
So, don’t leave it out for serving. Instead, keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
More Dessert Salad Recipes
Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Easy Watergate Salad
Trisha Yearwood Creamy Grape Salad
Easy Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Frog Eye Salad
Glorified Rice
8
servings15
minutes20
minutes2
hoursGlorified rice isn’t old-fashioned; it’s retro! It’s a fun dessert salad loaded with pineapple, marshmallows, and cherries, and I know you’ll love it.
Ingredients
2 cups white rice
4 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries, optional
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and drain away any excess liquid. Transfer to a shallow dish and set aside to cool on the counter for 30 minutes, and then in the fridge for at least an hour.
- When the rice is cold, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Place the cold rice, crushed pineapple, and miniature marshmallows in a separate large bowl. Add the chopped maraschino cherries and nuts, if using, and stir until well blended.
- Gently stir the whipped cream into the rice mixture with a spatula until everything is well coated in cream.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Then, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Arborio Rice is best for this recipe.
- Make sure to drain the pineapples and cherries well to avoid a watery salad.
- Keep the salad cold to avoid bacterial growth in the rice.
