Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Rice pudding is all about patience and a low flame: the rice simmers slowly in milk, releases its starch and everything turns into a soft cream. A cinnamon stick and a strip of lemon zest give a gentle aroma, and ground cinnamon on top adds a bright finish. We love it warm, and the next day cold, straight from the fridge.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Rest
- 10 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 335 kcal
Ingredients
Makes: 4 servings
Shopping list
The ingredients for the servings you chose — copy them or send them to a messenger. Tick what you already have at home: only the rest goes on the list.
Method
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Step 1: Combine everything
Don’t rinse the rice — its surface starch is what makes the pudding creamy. Put the rice, milk, sugar, salt, cinnamon stick and lemon zest into a heavy-based pan and bring to a bare simmer over medium heat, stirring: milk boils over easily.
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Step 2: Simmer gently
Turn the heat right down so the surface barely trembles. Cook for 35–40 minutes, stirring every 3–4 minutes and scraping the bottom, more often in the last 10 minutes as it thickens and could catch.
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Step 3: Check for doneness
It’s ready when the grains are completely soft and the pudding is creamy and just a little looser than you’d like: it thickens further as it cools.
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Step 4: Add butter and vanilla
Take off the heat and remove the cinnamon stick and zest. Stir in the butter and vanilla.
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Step 5: Rest and serve
Leave for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Spoon into bowls and dust with ground cinnamon.
Tips & variations
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Tip
A heavy-based pan and the lowest heat are half the battle: milk scorches quickly, and a burnt taste can’t be undone.
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Tip
Cold rice pudding thickens a lot. Stir in a few spoonfuls of milk before serving to bring back the creaminess.
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Variation
Add a handful of raisins 10 minutes before the end, or serve with caramelised apples or a berry sauce.
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Storage
Keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
| 1 serving | Whole dish 4 servings | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 335 kcal | 1,340 kcal |
| Protein | 9 g | 36 g |
| Fat | 11 g | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g | 196 g |
Approximate values calculated from standard ingredient data.
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