Description
This Comforting Creamy Rice Pudding with Cinnamon is a classic American dessert made with tender rice cooked slowly in milk and cream, sweetened with sugar, and enriched with warm cinnamon and nutmeg. It delivers a luscious, velvety texture perfect for serving warm or chilled, making it the ultimate comfort food for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- ¾ cup uncooked medium-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavorings
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Optional Add-ins
- Raisins or chopped dried fruit (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring the rice and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the water is absorbed.
- Add Dairy and Sweeteners: Stir in the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and salt. Then increase the heat to medium and cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning, for about 20 to 25 minutes until the mixture thickens into a creamy consistency.
- Incorporate Spices and Butter: Stir in the ground cinnamon, optional nutmeg, and vanilla extract thoroughly. Add the unsalted butter and continue stirring until it melts and blends evenly throughout the pudding, enriching its texture.
- Mix in Optional Fruits: If using raisins or chopped dried fruit, stir them in during the last few minutes of cooking to allow them to soften and infuse flavor.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pudding from heat and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken further. Serve warm or chilled, garnished with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon if desired.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk and almond milk instead of whole milk and heavy cream. Adjust the sugar to taste accordingly.
- Using short-grain rice instead of medium-grain can yield an even creamier pudding texture.
- Stir frequently during the cooking process to prevent the pudding from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
