This creamy rice pudding with condensed milk is probably the most luxurious rice dessert you could possibly make.
Sweetened condensed milk, raisins, some spices, and rice – heaven! This condensed milk rice pudding is thick and creamy, sweet and soft, the perfect comfort food. All you need is a few ingredients and one pot.
Featured comment:
Liz Barnes: Everything I love about a rice pudding rolled into one single recipe. Thank you so much, this one is definitely a keeper. Not overly sweet, and oh so creamy and delicious. I used a medium grain white rice and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Perfect pairings.
I make rice pudding very often - very, very often, actually. My kids love it, but to tell you the truth, I've never served this dish as dessert. It's always dinner or maybe lunch on a lazy, rainy Sunday.
Try a rice pudding served with Apricot Sauce or Canned Blueberry Sauce (the sauce you can see in the pictures).
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Recipe ingredients
Rice: You can use several kinds. In Germany, I often buy the so-called “Milchreis,” which is perfect for this purpose. But I've cooked the dish many times using regular medium-grain rice, Arborio, and even Basmati.
- What I would not recommend is to use instant or quick-cook; the pudding would turn mushy.
Milk: preferably full-fat or lower-fat, but not totally skimmed. I use either 1.5% or 3.8% fat. The full-fat version makes the pudding creamier, though.
Sweetened condensed milk. And since you've opened that can already, you might try these Condensed Milk Cookies or the Condensed Milk Biscuits as well.
Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract.
Raisins: If you don't like raisins, you can leave them out, or you can replace them with other dried fruit. I love cranberries (they add a bit of tartness), apricots, or finely chopped prunes. Any other dried fruit you like is fine as well.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make rice pudding with condensed milk?
- Step #1: Combine rice, water, milk, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
- Step #2: Add the sweetened condensed milk, raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
- Step #3: Continue simmering, this time uncovered, for about 10 minutes, stirring often. You might want to check if the pudding is done after 5-7 minutes already; the cooking time also depends on the sort of rice you have. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Step #4: Check the grains; they should be soft and creamy but not mushy. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.
Good to know!
Use a saucepan that is large enough. Rinse it with cold water, but don't dry it. This will prevent the dairy from sticking to it.
Keep an eye on the milk while you bring it to a boil; it can easily boil up, and you will have to clean the stove. It happens to me more often than I like to admit it.
Don't forget to stir. Do it gently to avoid crushing the grains when they are starting to become softer, and make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to avoid scorching.
Let the pudding simmer only; if it cooks too vigorously, the liquid will evaporate before it is ready.
If the mixture seems too dry towards the end of the cooking time, add a splash of milk.
The cooking time depends very much on the type of rice you are using; some sorts need a bit longer than others. Make sure to check before you turn off the heat; it should be soft but not mushy. If it's mushy, you've overcooked it.
During the 10 minutes of rest time, the grains will also absorb more of the cooking liquid, making the dish even softer and creamier.
What to serve with rice pudding?
You can have it as it is, and it will be amazing. However, I serve it with some kind of fruit/berry sauce most of the time; my cellar is full of preserves.
Try it with Cherry Sauce made with Preserved Cherries, Preserved Raspberries, Preserved Rhubarb, Canned Plums, or Amaretto Cherries.
How to store it?
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can enjoy them cold, or you can reheat them in the microwave or in a small saucepan. If reheating on the stove, add a splash of milk and keep stirring.
Rice Pudding with Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice Note
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk preferably full-fat
- pinch of salt
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon more to taste
- a few gratings of nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Simmer milk rice: Rinse a larger saucepan with cold water, but don't dry it. Combine rice, water, milk, and a pinch of salt in the pot. Bring to a very gentle boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, stirring a few times in between.1 cup rice + 2 cups water + 2 cups milk + pinch of salt
- Add sweetened condensed milk, raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine. Continue simmering, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Check if the rice is tender after 5-7 minutes already; the cooking time also depends on the sort of rice you are using. The rice should be soft and creamy, but not mushy.¾ cup sweetened condensed milk+ ½ cup raisins + ½ teaspoon cinnamon + a few gratings of nutmeg
- Stir in the vanilla extract.1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes before serving.
Inge says
I grew up with Reispudding in Germany. True comfort food.
Love the trick about rinsing the pot with water first. It worked.
This is a lot sweeter than my mom's version, but very good. I have another recipe that has you put a piece of chocolate in the middle of individual bowls of the pudding while it's hot. It gives you a nice surprise.
Darren says
My granny would make this for me when I was a little boy can't wait to try it for myself.
Tricia says
Can this rice pudding be frozen?
Adina says
No.
Beverly says
Yummy!!
I made this and used white rice otherwise I followed the recipe- I have been looking for a GREAT rice pudding —Look no further this is a awesome recipe just love how easy and creamy it is♥️🙏
Adina says
So happy to hear this, Beverly. Thank you for the feedback and the rating.
Sherry says
Just now finished making my pudding and we love it! Left out the nutmeg, don't care for it.
Only thing I'm going to do differently next go around is use my microplane and cinnamon sticks. Also thinking about vanilla extract paste because it has so much more flavor!! Yummy 😋!!
Thank you so much for the delicious recipe!
Adina says
I am so happy to hear it. Thank you for the feedback and rating.
Liz Barnes says
Everything I love about a rice pudding rolled into one single recipe. Thank you so much, this one is definitely a keeper. Not overly sweet, and oh so creamy and delicious. I used a medium grain white rice and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Perfect pairings.
Barbara says
Can this rice pudding be based to give it a brown color or a baked look
Adina says
Hi Barbara. I've never baked it, but I suppose it should be ok.
Mary Margaret says
Very nice recipe! Easy to make, as others have said, and not as overly sweet as some recipes that call for granulated sugar. Thank you for sharing this.
Megan R says
I been trying to make rice pudding for so long with different recipes. This one is the best and the perfect one! It’s so creamy and easy! Thank you!
Adina says
Hi Megan, so happy to hear it! We love this pudding too.
Sandy says
Does it thicken when it cools?
Adina says
Yes.
Frances McClarty says
This was delicious, no one liked the idea of this creamed rice but the clean bowls speak for themselves. Already asking me to make again ?
Adina says
So happy to hear it, Frances, my whole family loves this too.
Joye says
It turned out perfect. My husband and I love this recipe.
Adina says
So glad to hear, Joye. Thank you for the feedback.
Nick Watson says
Delicious and comforting! - what a welcome recipe for autumn - thanks ???
Adina says
Thank you, Nick, I am glad you liked it!
Sara says
This was the first time I have made rice pudding. It turned out great! I used half and half, and short grain sushi rice. My kids weren't to sure about it, so I may or may not have eaten the whole pot by myself. ?
Adina says
Hi Sara, I am so glad to hear it. Kids usually love rice pudding, don't give up. 🙂
mjskitchen says
This does look easy! I love a sweet rice pudding and this one looks like one I could make in the morning for breakfast. Love it!
Adina says
It's sweeter than when made with regular milk, but we love this condensed milk version.