CookLibrary is a recipe curation and editorial platform. We research and curate recipes from public sources, considering ratings, reviews, comments, and feedback. We then refine and present them clearly for home cooks. We are committed to an ad-free, focused experience that makes discovering and preparing recipes easier.
This creamy cinnamon rice pudding is a wonderfully comforting dessert built from simple ingredients and gentle oven baking.
Medium-grain white rice is the key to its signature texture, becoming tender and creamy while still retaining enough structure to avoid turning mushy or gluey.
The rice cooks in a lightly sweetened mixture of milk, sugar, and vanilla, creating a rich base that becomes even more luscious when cream is stirred in at the end.
Cinnamon brings a warm, fragrant note that complements the sweetness, while sultanas or raisins add little bursts of fruity flavor throughout the pudding.
As the mixture bakes, the rice absorbs the flavorful milk and gradually thickens, leaving a soft, spoonable dessert that is especially inviting when served warm.
One of the most appealing things about this pudding is its simplicity.
There is no separate fruit compote or elaborate topping required because the cinnamon and dried fruit provide plenty of character on their own.
The finished pudding can be enjoyed straight from the oven while it is warm and creamy, or elevated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
With only a few minutes of preparation before baking, this recipe is an easy choice when you want a homemade dessert that feels cozy and satisfying without complicated steps.
Its familiar ingredients, gentle cinnamon flavor, tender rice, and creamy consistency make it a timeless comfort-food treat suitable for sharing.
Creamy Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
- Grease the Baking Dish: Generously grease a 10-cup or larger casserole dish with the unsalted butter.
- Warm the Milk Mixture: Add the milk, white sugar, and vanilla extract to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and continue heating until the surface becomes foamy and the milk reaches a simmer; do not let it boil, as the milk may split.
- Combine the Rice Mixture: Place the uncooked medium-grain rice, sultanas or raisins, and cinnamon in the prepared casserole dish.
- Add the Warm Milk: Pour the hot milk mixture over the rice, dried fruit, and cinnamon, then briefly stir everything together.
- Cover the Dish: Cover the casserole dish securely with its lid or aluminum foil before placing it in the oven.
- Bake the Pudding: Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes to loosen the rice from the base and prevent it from setting there.
- Stir in the Cream: Remove the pudding from the oven after 1 hour and stir in the cream thoroughly. The pudding may appear somewhat watery immediately after baking, but the excess liquid evaporates quickly.
- Check the Texture: Keep the pudding creamy and loose enough to gently ooze when served, rather than allowing it to become overly thick.
- Serve Warm: Serve the rice pudding immediately on its own, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a richer dessert.
Notes
- Medium-grain white rice gives the pudding its best balance of tenderness and creaminess. Risotto rice can also be used, but it requires additional liquid and a longer cooking time.
- If using risotto rice such as arborio, add 1 cup (250 ml) water to the saucepan with the milk and bake for about 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Sultanas or raisins are interchangeable, and other dried fruit can be used according to preference. The dried fruit expands considerably during cooking.
- If the rice is still undercooked after the stated baking time, cover the dish and continue cooking, adding water as needed rather than additional milk.
- If the finished pudding becomes too thick, stir in hot water to loosen it to the desired creamy consistency.
- The pudding naturally firms as it cools. For reheating, warm it in the microwave and add a splash of water to restore a softer texture.
- For a coconut variation, replace the dairy milk with 2 cups coconut milk plus 1 cup water. Omit the cinnamon, then finish with lime zest and tropical fruit such as pineapple or mango.
Chef’s Secret
The most important detail for getting the right texture is choosing uncooked medium-grain white rice.
It absorbs the sweetened milk gradually during baking while retaining enough structure to become tender without turning excessively mushy.
Stirring the pudding every 20 minutes is equally important because the rice can begin settling and setting against the bottom of the casserole dish.
Keep the dish covered while it bakes so the rice has enough liquid to cook properly.
Once the hour is complete, do not worry if the pudding looks slightly loose when it first comes from the oven.
Stirring in the cream and allowing the mixture to settle briefly helps create the soft, flowing consistency that makes this pudding especially appealing when served warm.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pudding warm straight from the casserole dish for its creamiest consistency.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a particularly indulgent topping, contrasting the warm cinnamon-scented pudding with something cool and creamy.
The raisins or sultanas already provide little bursts of sweetness, so additional toppings are not necessary.
For a tropical variation, the coconut version can be finished with lime zest and served alongside pineapple or mango as suggested in the original notes.
Conclusion
This creamy cinnamon rice pudding turns everyday ingredients into a warm, comforting dessert with tender rice, fragrant cinnamon, sweet dried fruit, and a rich cream finish.
Its straightforward preparation and cozy texture make it an inviting homemade treat for sharing.
Serve it immediately for a soft, flowing consistency, or enjoy it reheated with a little water stirred through to loosen it again.
Whether served simply from the oven or finished with vanilla ice cream, this rice pudding delivers a satisfying dessert without unnecessary complexity.
