Simple and Creamy Rice Pudding

This simple creamy rice pudding recipe is versatile and easy to make. White rice (preferably Arborio) is cooked with milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and other optional spices.

Serve Creamy Rice Pudding Warm Or Cold

Rice pudding can be served warm or cold. It will thicken as it cools. I serve it cold in the spring and summer and warm in the fall and winter.

What Kind Of Rice Is Best For Rice Pudding?

I like to cook rice pudding with arborio rice. Having said that, rice pudding recipes can be made with a variety of rices. But, short grain stickier rices work best because the starch is released and allows rice pudding to thicken easier.

Short grain rice also retains a little bit of shape instead of turning into mush.

I've made this easy rice pudding recipe with a variety of white rices: sushi, long grain jasmine, basmati, instant rice. The main difference is to modify the cooking times if you use a different rice.

Arborio and sushi rice need to cook longer while shorter cooking times are used for jasmine, basmati, and instant rice.

Easy Garnishes for Creamy Rice Pudding

Dried fruit like raisins is rather traditional in rice puddings. Add them in the last couple minutes of cooking time if you use them.

Some other garnishes for rice pudding include:

• nuts - pecans, walnuts, pistachios,almonds
• fresh fruits - banana, strawberries, mangos, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
• jams like lemon curd
• whipped cream
• cocoa powder
• chocolate shavings or chips
• toasted coconut flakes

Why Start Rice Pudding In Water Instead of Milk?

Rice pudding is cooked in a combination of water and milk because milk burns easy. 

Starting rice pudding in water simplifies the process and ensures that your pudding doesn't burn.

The par cooked rice is then transferred from the pot to the larger pan so that there is more surface area for the pudding to reduce and thicken.

Variations on Simple Creamy Rice Pudding

Play with the sweeteners in your creamy rice pudding. Use less sugar if it's too sweet or try a different sweetener like honey or maple syrup.

Make this simple rice pudding dairy free. Try your favorite vegan alternative like almond, oat, rice, or coconut milk and skip the butter.

Don't like vanilla extract? Cool, leave it out or try almond extract instead.

Lastly, the spices are optional for rice pudding recipes. I love a pinch of cardamom, but a lot of people don't have this in their kitchens or just don't like it. Leave it out, no problem!

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