Creamy Rice Pudding Delight (Printable)
Tender rice cooked in creamy milk with vanilla and a hint of cinnamon for a rich dessert.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1/2 cup short-grain rice (e.g., Arborio or pudding rice)
→ Dairy
02 - 3 cups whole milk
03 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
→ Flavorings
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - Pinch of salt
→ Optional Garnishes
09 - Ground cinnamon
10 - Fresh berries
11 - Toasted nuts
# Steps:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain thoroughly.
02 - Combine milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, and butter in a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add the rinsed rice to the simmering mixture, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered while stirring frequently until the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy, approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
04 - Stir in vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Allow to cool slightly before serving warm or chilled, and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, fresh berries, or toasted nuts as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It requires almost no special skills, just a stirring spoon and time, making it perfect for a first dessert or a hundredth.
- The texture is like eating a warm cloud that somehow stays substantial, creamy in a way that tastes nothing like guilt.
- It transforms five basic ingredients into something that feels far more luxurious than it actually is.
02 -
- Don't walk away from this pudding while it's cooking; the stirring prevents sticking and helps the rice release starch evenly, which is what creates that silky consistency.
- If it looks too thin at the end, it will thicken as it cools, so resist the urge to keep cooking it or you'll end up with something dense instead of creamy.
03 -
- Invest in a wooden spoon and actually use it for this; it lets you feel the rice softening and helps prevent sticking in a way metal spoons just don't.
- Brown the butter in a small pan before adding it to the milk mixture; it adds a depth that changes everything for almost no extra effort.