This simple but classic creamy rice pudding recipe is versatile and easy to make. White rice (preferably Arborio) is cooked with milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
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 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!
Things In My Kitchen:
- Silicone Spatula Set - excellent for high heat cooking. 2 small, 2 large.
- Measuring Cup Set - Stackable glass
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Simple Creamy Rice Pudding
EatSimpleFood.com
This creamy classic old fashioned rice pudding recipe is versatile and easy to make. White rice (preferably Arborio) is cooked with milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- ½ cup Arborio rice or other white rice
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 cup water
- pinch salt
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch ground cinnamon
- pinch ground cardamom - optional
- pinch ground nutmeg - optional
Instructions
- Add rice, butter, water, salt to a small pot and bring to a covered boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer covered ~ 15 minutes or until rice is al dente. All the water will not be absorbed. (see video)
- In a medium pan add milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- Bring to a boil, add rice mixture, and simmer uncovered ~ 15 - 20 minutes or until rice is done and mixture is thickened. (It will also thicken as it cools).
- Serve warm or cold. Add whipped cream, dried fruit, or fresh fruit if desired.
Notes
- Rice pudding can be served warm or cold. It will get thicker as it cools down. Serve it cold in the spring and summer and warm in the fall and winter.
- Rice pudding is cooked in a combination of water and milk because milk burns easy. Starting in water simplifies the process and ensures that your pudding doesn't burn.
- The par cooked rice is transferred from the pot to the larger pan so that there is more surface area for the pudding to reduce.
- Add any dried fruit, like raisins, dates, or apricot in the last couple minutes of cooking.
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