Description
A rich, silky, and comforting stovetop rice pudding made with Arborio rice, whole milk, heavy cream, and real vanilla beans for a luxurious texture that rivals ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup Arborio rice (200g)
- 4 cups whole milk (960ml)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
- 1 large vanilla bean pod
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Optional: 1 cinnamon stick
- Optional: Zest of 1 lemon
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cold butter
Instructions
- Rinse the Arborio rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear and drain well.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the rinsed rice, sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the rice is slightly translucent and nutty.
- Pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Split the vanilla bean pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add both the seeds and the pod to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes to prevent sticking and release starch.
- Check for doneness by tasting a grain of rice; it should be tender but still have a slight chew. The mixture should be thick like soup.
- Remove from heat and fish out the vanilla bean pod.
- Stir in optional butter if using.
- Pour into serving bowls and let cool to room temperature.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
Notes
Stir frequently to prevent scorching and ensure even creaminess. If the pudding becomes too thick while cooking, add a splash of milk. To prevent a skin from forming while cooling, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Leftovers taste even better after sitting in the fridge overnight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: rice pudding, vanilla bean, creamy dessert, Arborio rice, stovetop dessert, comfort food, easy dessert