Using a 4-quart slow cooker, grease the liner with either non-stick cooking spray or coconut oil for an easy cleanup. Otherwise, the rice will stick.
Shake the unopened cans of unsweetened coconut milk. This is the easiest way to blend the coconut cream on the top with the coconut milk on the bottom.
To the prepared slow cooker, add the uncooked rice, sugar, and mixed coconut milk. Stir and cover.
Turn the slow cooker on high heat and cook for 2 ½ - 3 hours. Check the rice pudding after two hours. Each slow cooker can cook at different speeds and heat levels.
After two hours at high heat, stir the pudding. Once the liquid is absorbed into the rice and no longer chewy, it is done. The pudding should have a creamy consistency.
Turn off the heat and add the vanilla extract.
Serve immediately if you want warm rice pudding. Otherwise, cool it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and then serve. Add toppings if you want.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
Note 1: Use canned unsweetened coconut milk. Make sure to shake well before opening.