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Creamiest Rice Pudding Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 150 reviews

This Creamiest Rice Pudding recipe features tender Arborio rice cooked slowly in whole milk with sugar and butter, resulting in a rich, velvety dessert. Infused with vanilla and optionally topped with cinnamon, it’s perfect served warm or chilled for a comforting sweet treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • ¾ cup Arborio rice
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional Topping

  • Ground cinnamon for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse Rice: Rinse the Arborio rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear to remove excess starch and prevent clumping during cooking.
  2. Warm Milk Mixture: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the whole milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves.
  3. Add Rice and Simmer: Stir in the rinsed rice and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, ensuring it doesn’t boil vigorously to avoid scorching.
  4. Cook Rice Pudding: Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 30–35 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and to allow the pudding to thicken and the rice to become tender.
  5. Finish with Butter and Vanilla: When the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened to a creamy consistency, remove the pan from heat and stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract for richness and flavor.
  6. Serve: Spoon the pudding into individual bowls. Serve warm or chilled, optionally sprinkling with ground cinnamon for added aroma and taste.

Notes

  • Using Arborio rice is key to achieving the creamy texture, as its high starch content thickens the pudding naturally.
  • Stirring frequently during cooking helps prevent the milk from scorching at the bottom of the pan.
  • Adjust sugar quantity to taste if you prefer a less sweet pudding.
  • You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter version, but the pudding will be less rich.
  • For a dairy-free option, try using coconut milk instead of whole milk and vegan butter instead of unsalted butter.
  • The pudding thickens further as it cools, so adjust the final consistency by slightly shortening or extending cooking time.

Keywords: Creamiest Rice Pudding, Arborio Rice Pudding, Rice Dessert, Creamy Dessert, Vanilla Rice Pudding

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/creamiest-rice-pudding-recipe/