A simple, healthy dessert made with wheat berries and walnuts is a satisfying addition to your Christmas table spread.
Although this wheat pudding is a traditional dessert served especially at slava - family’s patron saint’s day festivities (Orthodox Christian tradition), Christmas, and lent, I have never had it before.
To fix this mistake, I’ve been making the wheat pudding (also called žito and koljivo) ever since I came back from Bosnia in September. I made it so often, I think I made up for all the pudding I haven’t had in the past.
There are variations to the recipe, but they all basically consist of cooked wheat berries, walnuts, sugar, and spices.
You can also add honey, maple syrup, orange peel, other nuts, dried fruits, or even rum. It is served with a generous amount of whipped cream, except during the lent.
🛒Ingredients and Notes
- whole Wheat Berries
- A pinch of salt
- chopped walnuts
- powdered sugar
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla sugar (can be substituted with powdered sugar)
🔪Step by Step Instructions
- Rinse wheat berries with warm water. In a saucepan, bring wheat berries, water, and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about two hours.
- Drain the cooked wheat in a sieve and rinse the excess gluten off with hot water. Leave it in the sieve for 30 minutes. If you want to make it ahead, leave them in the sieve overnight and skip the next step.
- Line a large baking sheet with paper towels. Spread the wheat berries over towels and pat dry with more paper towels.
- Using a food processor or a meat grinder grind the wheat, sugar, walnuts, nutmeg, and cinnamon until combined. Don’t over-process it; you want some texture, not a paste.
- Whip the heavy cream and vanilla sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Serve the pudding in small glass dishes topped with whipped cream.
Other Amazing Recipes to Try
- 6 Ingredient No-Bake Sand Cake
- Walnut Stuffed Poached Apples
- Carrot Cake Cheesecake
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Fillo Doughnuts
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Wheat Pudding
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole Wheat Berries
- 3 cups Water
- A pinch of Salt
- 1 cup chopped Walnuts
- ⅓ cup powdered Sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla Sugar can be substituted with powdered sugar
Instructions
- Rinse wheat berries with warm water. In a saucepan, bring wheat berries, water and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about two hours. Drain the cooked wheat in a sieve and rinse the excess gluten off with hot water. Leave it in the sieve for 30 minutes. If you want to make it ahead, leave them in the sieve overnight and skip the next step.
- Line a large baking sheet with paper towels. Spread the wheat berries over towels and pat dry with more paper towels.
- Using a food processor or a meat grinder grind the wheat, sugar, walnuts, nutmeg, and cinnamon until combined. Don’t over-process it; you want some texture, not a paste.
- Whip the heavy cream and vanilla sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Serve pudding in small glass dishes topped with whipped cream.
I have never had Wheat Pudding either but you certainly make it sound delicious. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Thanks, Donna! I love the flavor and texture and I hope you give it a try and like it too 😀
My mom used to make this all the time! But I like the addition of the cream - yum! I'm definitely going to try this one at home 🙂
I love when food brings up memories, Jelice! Although this is a dessert, it is such a comfort food for me. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂 XO
I've never heard of wheat pudding before but it sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing at Sew It Cook It Craft It. Merry Christmas!
Thank you! Merry Christmas, Lina!!!
This looks delicious and different and I love learning about your traditions Jas
Thank you so much, Amber! Wishing you happy holidays!
What a unique recipe! Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!
Thank you, Kelly! Happy holidays!
I have never heard of a thing. I am certainly happy that I did not dismiss it based on the name.
Hi, Elise! Don't judge the book by its...title, LOL. Thanks for stopping in! 🙂
I've never heard of wheat pudding! Though it sounds incredible. I can't wait to try it. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
It's chewy, nutty, and delicious. I hope you give it a try. 🙂
I'm so happy that I stumbled upon your post. This recipe sounds delightful. My sister makes wheat pie every Easter; I'd like to make this for Christmas!
Thank you, Linda! I hope you like it! Happy holidays!
Like many others I never heard of wheat pudding. I do know that I have never turned down any pudding - always a light comfort food. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday!
Honestly, I don't know why is it called a pudding. This one is a little heartier than the regular pudding, but so delicious if you like nutmeg in your dessert. 🙂
I have never had wheat pudding before. The ingredients look like it would be yummy to try out. Thanks for sharing this recipe with everyone.
I hope you try it, Natalie. It is yummy and different.
This sounds very homey and comforting - thanks for stopping by Party in Your PJs!
It's exactly that, Linda! Thank you for stopping in and happy holidays!
This sounds delicious. I'm always on the look out for new pudding ideas! #brilliantblogposts
Thank you, Annabel! I'm so glad you like it 🙂
Yum! Thank you for linking up to this weeks Creative K Kids' – I can't wait to see what you link up with next week!
Thanks, Amanda!
I'd never even heard of wheat pudding! It sounds interesting.
It is surprisingly good 🙂
I remember my mom making a plate of this coliva when I was a young girl. Thinking back it was pretty good but I turned up my nose at it then. I would savour it today.
Yes, there are many dishes I didn't appreciate growing up that I now adore 🙂
Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner link up!
Hi, Helen. Hope your Christmas was merry!
Looks yummy! Thanks for linking up to Home Matters Party. #HomeMattersParty http://cu-rio.net/home-matters-linky-party-65/
Thank you for hosting! Have a great week!
I have never heard of wheat pudding but I have got to give it a try! It sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Favorite Things link up 🙂
Thanks for hosting! Hope you do try it someday 🙂
I've never heard of wheat pudding. Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer
It's my new favorite! Thanks for hosting, Jennifer, and have a great weekend!
I don't think I've ever had wheat pudding, this looks incredible, I will have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!
Hope you do, Joy! It's an easy dessert that can feed a crowd. Thanks for stopping in. Hope your weekend is nothing short of amazing!
I've never heard of wheat pudding but it looks delicious!
It is a bit different, but delicious! Thanks for stopping in 🙂
This is so beautiful and add the fact that it is healthy. Awesome recipe.
Thanks Pamela! Hope your day is going great!
Looks yummy! Thanks so much for sharing, Jas! GOD bless you! 🙂
Thank you, Tai! Blessings to you too 🙂
Very interesting, Jas! I've never heard of wheat pudding before, though. This looks healthy and all the ones I know are laden with sugar and fat!
It's new for me too. I like the chewy texture and it is very filling! Have a great week. XO