Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (2024)

Is there a food that is so comforting, so familiar that you are instantly transported back to your childhood? For me, that's my Grammie's Farina pudding or as we always knew it, "Pappchen". I love the way she wrote the recipe down for me--it's so European--so Grammie.

My grandparents and my mom actually emigrated to the US from England in the 1950's, but my grandparents were originally from Germany and thankfully escaped to London during WWII, both as teenagers. Though Grammie learned proper British English and never thought of herself as a German, some of the old World traditions still clung to her--like this delicious pudding, thankfully. For years, Grammie made this recipe for our family, often serving it in its chilled form as dessert with frozen raspberries or strawberries. When she stopped cooking several years ago, I sort of forgot about it, but in thinking about recipes to post, I have been going through my old recipe box and came across it. I've now made it three times in the last three days! I can't get enough of it!!

There are only five simple little ingredients in this, but oh, how they come together! Each spoonful is filled with a lemony creaminess that is so addictive. When hot, it's like the best breakfast cereal-thick and rich and satisfying. When chilled, the consistency is still soft, but more like a jello or cold souffle. It may not look like much, but who cares? Either way, it's delicious, so easy to make and healthy too! If you don't keep Farina in your pantry (and unless, you've got a baby, who really does?) get yourself to the store and pick up a box so that you can make this today.

Thanks for this recipe, Grammie and for all the other things you've done for me and everyone else in our family. I love you!