Rice Pudding Recipe – This deliciously creamy, quick, and easy treat makes an excellent alternative to breakfast oatmeal. Sprinkle it with cinnamon and nutmeg, and then top it with raisins for the ultimate comfort food. The whole family will enjoy it to the max!
This recipe fits all the comfort food criteria because you’ll experience that nostalgic feeling with your first spoonful. I don’t know of any country that doesn’t have a classic rice pudding recipe, making it truly international.
Even better, this recipe uses basic pantry staples – milk, sugar, and rice. And I was ecstatic when my 9-year-old niece called me to tell me she made this creamy rice pudding perfectly. So yes, that’s your sign to try this rice dish. 😉
What Is Rice Pudding?
Rice pudding is a classic comfort food recipe made with rice, milk, and other ingredients like sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. It can be boiled, baked, steamed, or chilled to get the exact texture and flavor perfect for dessert or breakfast. It’s also a great way to use leftover plain rice, and it’s tasty, tender, and creamy.
Recipe Ingredients
Old-fashioned rice pudding is traditionally made with whole milk, but my experimental tastebuds opted for additional coconut milk. And boy, it was phenomenal! The subtle coconut taste hits differently, and it’s incredible. So worth trying! 😉
- Rice – Basmati rice is a healthier choice with a more neutral aroma because it is low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Generally, any rice will work in this recipe but will have different consistency and texture.
- Milk – I used regular milk and half a cup of coconut milk for a smoother and creamier flavor.
- Flavor – Aside from salt and sugar, I added vanilla extract to give the pudding a flavor boost. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom liven up this homemade rice pudding.
- Fruits – I suggest adding the fruits at the end so they don’t get soggy. My favorite additions are raisins, pineapple, and mango chunks, but you can add any fruits you like.
How to Make Rice Pudding
Easy Peasy Steps
- Combine – Add milk, coconut milk, rice, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. (Photo 1-2)
- Simmer – Stir, then bring to a boil and simmer on as low a heat as you possibly can. Cover the saucepan tightly with the lid. Continue cooking for 12-15 minutes until tender.
- Stir – Gently stir the rice mixture with a wooden spoon to prevent the rice from sticking and burning.
- Add Spices – Remove the saucepan from the stove. Add sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom. (Photos 3-4)
- Simmer Again – Return the saucepan to heat and cook until desired thickness is reached – about a couple of minutes. Make sure there is some creamy liquid in the rice because it thickens as it cools. Then throw in raisins. (Photos 5-6)
- Serve – Enjoy it warm with pineapples or mango, or chill it in the fridge until ready to eat.
Recipe Variations
- Creamy Substitutes – If you want extra creaminess in this rice pudding recipe, you can use condensed or evaporated milk.
- Fruity Additions – Aside from adding pineapple or mango on top, rice pudding is also delicious with banana, strawberries, and blueberries for extra taste and elegance.
- Chocolate Indulgence – How about making it chocolicious? You can add chocolate milk or cocoa powder to achieve that creamy choco flavor.
- Vegan Rice Pudding – Plant-based milk, such as soy, almond, and coconut milk, makes a tasty vegan version.
Tips and Tricks
- Long white rice works right for this pudding recipe as it produces a slightly drier and chewier compared to when using short-grain white rice. Basmati rice has a delicately aromatic pudding, though.
- You can use other thickening foods, like eggs, since it also adds richness and saves time for thickening the rice pudding.
- Stir gently and often to keep the rice from sticking and burning.
Make-Ahead Instructions
This cinnamon rice pudding is best warm, but you can make it a couple of days in advance to save time. Reheat, adding a splash of milk, if necessary, and the flavors when ready to serve.
Serving and Storage Instructions
You can enjoy rice pudding hot or cold. You can also add more milk if needed coz rice tends to dry out. Serve it with raisins and fruits because they fit like an apple to a pie!
You can store your leftover rice pudding for a week in the fridge or three months in the freezer. Don’t forget to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Although rice pudding is generally sweet, it is still healthy due to the nutrients from rice and milk. According to nutritionists, it has vitamins and minerals like proteins, calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D. Plus. You also have the option to reduce the sugar or use sugar-free substitutes to make it healthier.
The best rice choice is medium to long-grain rice, like basmati. Though it costs more than others, it has that delicious taste and has more nutritional content. But any rice will work, so focus on making it soft and creamy since these are the best qualities for rice pudding.
Rice pudding is slightly higher in protein, but they’re pretty close. But it’s not worth worrying about because comfort food isn’t about nutrition.
What to Serve With Creamy Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is usually served as breakfast but also as a dessert recipe. Chai tea latte and pumpkin spice latte are exquisite with this recipe. French toast also makes a great friend to rice pudding. Yum!!!
More Fantastic Pudding Recipes to Try
- Passion Fruit Pudding Cake
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
- Banana Pudding
- Corn Pudding
Conclusion
Who knew how much coconut milk could brighten a regular rice pudding recipe? Not to mention the added spices, too. How do you like your rice pudding, plain or loaded with fruits? Let me know in the comments! ❤️
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in January 2018 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
Cat says
Such an amazing recipe! I make it with 1 cup heavy cream and 3 cups milk instead of the milk/coconut milk combo. Works great, even without raisins and fruits. Sweetness level is perfect for me.
Imma says
Amazing!!!!! That looks absolutely delicious!! Glad you loved it. Looking forward to you trying more of my recipes.
Lauren Von Dran says
We are celebrating Eid tomorrow, and as a tradition in the morning you serve a sweet dish. I came across this as we fancied rice pudding and wow I have had several helpings already tonight. Just what I was looking for. Comfort food but full of flavour! Can’t wait to share this recipe with my friends! Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Lauren! Amazing! I am so glad you love this dish. This is a household favorite too :)! Have a blessed Eid Mubarak. Thanks for stopping by!
Andrea D Williams says
Thank you for the easy, delicious rice pudding recipe! My very first time making rice pudding ever!! I always wanted to make my own, because I love it and your recipe helped me do that. It came out DELICIOUS.
imma africanbites says
Yaaay! Now you got me wanting to make this comforting food for Sunday. ๐ Thanks for dropping by.
Lemongrass says
I grew up having rice pudding, but my mom baked it. It was delicious. Living in Grenada with a stove and an over that I cannot regulate, I have not made it in a while. But I will try your method making on the stove top. It looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks! Do let me know how it works out for you.
David Nchor says
I love how the ingredients used are easy to find. I’m in Ghana and I love this blog. Definitely going to surprise my wife with this breakfast tomorrow. God bless you Imma.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks David, God bless you too! Am sure your wife is going to love it as much as we do . Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts .
Jamila says
I made this for dessert tonight and we LOVED it. I wasn’t sure if this was a right choice for dessert since we were having your Caribbean Black Bean Soup. Nobody complained. It’s Friday! It’s very cold! We welcomed the “little sunshine”in our bowls! I’m happy I’ve found a creamy, tasty rice pudding recipe without the egg. Thanks for sharing.
YKJ says
When you say coconut milk, are you referring to the canned version we used for your rice and beans recipe? Or the coconut milk in the milk section along with other dairy free milk? Thanks!
ImmaculateBites says
The coconut milk in the milk section, less calories (about 80 calories per cup)
LaToria says
This sounds good. I’ve never had rice pudding, I’ve heard people talk about it. I love oatmeal, this will allow me to eat something different for breakfast. What milk can I use if I cannot use the coconut milk? I have a nut allergy, and coconut is now considered part of the nut family.
ImmaculateBites says
Just replace the coconut milk with regular milk .It’ll be just fine .
Nancy Miller says
Even though coconut is now considered to be part of the nut family, it doesn’t mean you’re allergic to it. Just putting that out there