Creamy Caramel Rice Pudding
Caramel rice pudding is a creamy, comforting dessert made with simple ingredients. Perfect for serving warm or chilled, it’s a great make-ahead dessert for family meals, dinner parties, or holiday gatherings.
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About this homemade rice pudding
Rice pudding always works, but caramel rice pudding is the best. With simple ingredients, the same as rice pudding, you can make this creamy and easy stovetop dessert. Here is the link for a creamy rice pudding recipe for more comfort desserts.
Rice pudding is a naturally gluten-free dessert perfect for family dinners, festive occasions, or an easy make-ahead treat. It´s served with fresh strawberries, but you can customize it with your favorite topping. The creaminess of the rice pairs very well with fresh fruit.
Ingredients
The main ingredients of this recipe are:
- Rice: Short-grain white rice. It’s the same rice used to make a risotto.
- Milk: whole milk for the best consistency and flavor.
- Sugar: white granulated sugar.
- Lemon: fresh lemon peel to add flavor. You can also use the orange peel.
- Cinnamon: a cinnamon stick to flavor and ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top.
How to make homemade caramel rice pudding
In a deep saucepan, boil half the milk (4 cups) and sugar over low heat until it’s reduced by more than half and begins to take on a caramel color. About 15/ 20 minutes.
In another deep saucepan, boil the remaining milk with the rice, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
When the rice absorbs all the milk, add the one with caramel. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and creamy.
Let cool or serve immediately with your favorite topping. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
It’s normal that when the rice pudding cools, it absorbs part of the liquid and the texture becomes more compact. Add a little more milk and mix until it is creamy again.
Can I make rice pudding ahead of time?
Yes, keep the dessert in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat gently with a splash of milk for creaminess.
Variations and serving options
- Orange: replace lemon zest with orange zest
- Chocolate: grated chocolate for a twist.
- Fruit: fresh seasonal fruits like plums, strawberries, or berries.
- Fruit sauces or compotes: like this plum compote recipe.
- Praline: for crunchiness and sweetness.
- Caramelized bananas: bananas and caramel are always a hit.
Storing
Serve the rice pudding immediately, or let it cool at room temperature and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For more gluten-free dessert ideas
- Rice pudding (with plum compote)
- Flan
- Chocolate lava cake (easy recipe)
- Easy chocolate mango mousse (glass dessert)
- Plum crisp (easy and crunchy)
Homemade Caramel Rice Pudding (creamy & delicious!)
Ingredients
- 8 1/3 cups milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup uncooked short-grain white rice
- Fresh lemon zest
- 1 stick of cinnamon
Instructions
- In a deep saucepan, boil half the milk (4 cups) and sugar over low heat until it's reduced by more than half and begins to take on a caramel color. About 15/ 20minutes.
- In another deep saucepan, boil the remaining milk with the rice, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- When the rice absorbs all the milk, add the one with caramel. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and creamy.
- Let cool or serve immediately with your favorite topping. Sprinkle with cinnamon.