Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (2024)

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Our Milchreis Recipe Will Make You Rethink When To Eat Rice Pudding!

There are lots of rice and milk recipes out there – but there’s something about Milchreis that makes you come back for more.

Milchreis – or German rice pudding – can be eaten as a sweet dinner dish but can also be enjoyed as a German dessert!

Literally meaning “milk rice”, our Milchreis recipe makes a creamy German sweet rice that goes well with a little cinnamon and sugar or with fruit on top!

Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (1)

Milchreis vs. North American Rice Pudding

Even though Milchreis is called “German rice pudding”, there are a few differences when comparing it to rice pudding typically enjoyed in North America.

For starters, in Germany, Milchreis can be eaten as a main meal whereas in North America it is almost always a dessert.

Lisa ate it as a sweet main course occasionally when growing up. She would have a sweet dinner with her family a couple of times a month.

An example of a “sweet German dinner” would be Milchreis with sugar and cinnamon (or fruit) or potato pancakes with apple sauce.

In Germany, you can buy rice that is labeled as “Milchreis” and is used to make rice pudding.

In North America – or at least in Canada – you can’t usually find rice specifically for rice pudding in supermarkets. However, short-grain rice like Arborio will work really well.

Another difference is that German rice pudding almost never contains raisins and is not made in the oven.

Eric’s mom makes a classic North American rice pudding baked in the oven with raisins so we definitely understand the differences!

How to Make Milchreis – Step by Step Instructions

If you want to make Milchreis at home, you can check out our German rice pudding recipe card at the bottom of this post.

For those interested in seeing what the recipe process photos look like, you can follow along with them as you cook. This way, you can see if you Milchreis looks like ours!

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Melt a little bit of butter in a medium-sized pot on the stove.

Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (3)

Once melted, add the rice and sauté it for a couple of minutes until it becomes just slightly translucent.

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Now add the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt.

Give everything a stir and place the lid on the pot. Bring the milk to a boil and turn down the heat to low once it is boiling.

Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (5)

Let the rice simmer for around 20 minutes until it is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Depending on the exact type of rice you are using, your cooking time may vary slightly.

If you want your German rice pudding to have a creamier consistency, you can add a little bit more milk.

Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (6)

Serve the milk rice with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top and/or with fresh fruit such as berries. Alternatively, you can also serve it with fruit salad or other fruit out of a can.

Storage Tips

In our opinion, Milchreis tastes best fresh but you can store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the fridge for a couple of days.

You can then either reheat the leftovers or enjoy them cold. Since the rice might dry out in the fridge, you might have to add some more milk to make it slightly creamier again.

Related Recipes

For more sweet German recipes, check out these classics that will definitely please:

  • Bavarian Cream (Custard-like Dessert)
  • Ice Cream Coffee (German Coffee Treat w/ Ice Cream!)
  • Streuselkuchen (German Crumb Cake)
  • Apfelküchle (German Fried Apple Rings)
  • Franzbrötchen (Cinnamon Bun from Hamburg)
Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (7)

Milchreis (German Rice Pudding)

Milchreis – or German Rice Pudding – is a delicious, creamy dish. Eaten for dinner or dessert, this easy to make rice pudding recipe is topped off with a dusting of cinnamon and sugar or with some fruit like fresh berries or canned fruit salad!

4.32 from 16 votes

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Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup rice, short-grain
  • 2 cups milk, more if preferred
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • a pinch of salt
  • sugar, cinnamon, and/or fruit for topping, optional

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a medium-sized pot on the stove. Add the rice and sauté it for around 2 minutes until slightly translucent.

  • Add the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Give everything a stir with a wooden spoon and add the lid. Bring the milk to a boil. Once boiling, turn down the heat to low.

  • Let the rice simmer for around 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Make sure to also check the packaging directions for the rice you are using and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

  • Serve the rice with sugar and cinnamon or fruit.

Notes

  • Make sure to use short-grian rice when making Milchreis.
  • You can add a little bit more milk than the 2 cups mentioned above if you want the Milchreis to have a slightly more creamy consistency.
  • Fruit toppings might include fresh berries, fruit salad you get in a can, or even apples peeled and slightly fried in cinnamon on the stovetop (delicious).
  • You can store leftovers in a container with a lid in the fridge for a couple of days. When reheating, make sure to add a little bit more milk as the rice can get dry in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Dinner

Cuisine German

Author Recipes From Europe

Milchreis (German Rice Pudding) - Recipes From Europe (2024)

FAQs

What is rice pudding called in America? ›

Arroz con leche (rice with milk) is the Spanish and American type of rice pudding.

How to make Jamie Oliver's rice pudding? ›

Method. Put the rice, milk, 200ml of water, half the maple syrup or honey and the vanilla into a large pan. Give it a good stir, then place the pan on a very low heat. Cook gently for around 45 minutes, or until thick and creamy, stirring regularly.

Why is rice pudding healthy? ›

You've got to love that it's made from simple ingredients like rice, milk, sugar and eggs. While this is a dessert, it does offer some nutritional benefits, including almost 10 grams of protein and 15 percent of the daily recommendation for bone-building calcium per cup.

What nationality eats rice pudding? ›

The origins of rice pudding are thought to be traced back to grain porridges made by Middle Eastern and Indian cooks. Originally thought to have digestive and medicinal properties, early doctors often prescribed rice pudding as a treatment for common ailments.

What is the difference between British and American pudding? ›

American puddings are closer to what the Brits would call "custard." A British pudding is a dish, savory or sweet, that's cooked by being boiled or steamed in something: a dish, a piece of cloth, or even animal intestine.

What is traditional rice pudding made of? ›

Rice pudding is a creamy mixture of rice and milk that is cooked until it's thick and soft. It can be sweet or savory. This raisin-studded dessert rice pudding is thickened with an egg, sweetened with sugar, and enhanced with vanilla.

Why is my rice pudding still hard? ›

As a result, the rice in the pudding can become firm and hard when it cools down. It's a natural process that occurs with certain types of rice. To prevent this, you can try adding a bit more liquid or cream to the rice pudding before refrigerating it. This may help maintain a softer texture when you enjoy it later.

What makes rice pudding thicken? ›

The Best Rice for Rice Pudding

In general, the shorter the grain, the higher the starch content...and it's starch that helps thicken this pudding and make it so creamy.

Is jasmine or basmati rice better for rice pudding? ›

Although this dish is most commonly made using long grain White Rice (some would even use Thai Jasmine Rice, many would argue that, to achieve a balance between consistency and flavor, aromatic Basmati Rice should be used as it contains starch.

Is rice pudding better cold or warm? ›

Over time, with sufficient stirring, the rice hydrates, gelatinizes, and releases starch into the surrounding liquid, thickening the mixture to a pudding-like consistency. The dessert can be enjoyed warm or cold, but in most cases it's left to cool completely before serving.

Why is my rice pudding mushy? ›

I don't recommend any other type of short-grain or quick-cooking rice for rice pudding, as it tends to result in a mushy pudding with this long-simmering recipe. Milk – Whole, full-fat 3.5% b.f. milk is best for rice pudding.

Is rice pudding good for the elderly? ›

A great source of fibre, calcium and protein, a small portion of rice pudding can make a great snack for older adults. It takes a while to cook a batch of rice pudding up from scratch, but it keeps in the fridge for 3-5 days or can be frozen in bags of individual portions to make it last longer.

Which is healthier, tapioca or rice pudding? ›

Regarding nutritional value, tapioca, and rice pudding are high in carbohydrates and calories, but tapioca pudding is typically lower in fat than rice pudding. Tapioca pudding and rice pudding are both gluten-free, making either a good option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Is rice pudding bad for cholesterol? ›

Salt content can vary so look for lower amounts, ideally less than 0.8g per half can. Canned rice pudding - even the full-fat version - is still low in saturated fat, which is linked to high cholesterol levels, which can increase heart disease risk, so this is an acceptable dessert.

What is the American equivalent of pudding? ›

In the United States, pudding means a sweet, milk-based dessert similar in consistency to egg-based custards, instant custards or a mousse, often commercially set using cornstarch, gelatin or similar coagulating agent such as Jell-O.

What is the equivalent of pudding rice? ›

Variations and Substitutions for Rice Pudding

You can use any short-grain 🍚 rice, Italian-style rice, or arborio rice for this Rice Pudding. For a dairy-free alternative, you can certainly try coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk instead.

What is pudding in American English? ›

pudding in American English

a sweetened dessert, usually of similar consistency and usually steamed or baked, variously containing eggs, milk, fruit, etc.

Is rice pudding the same as tapioca? ›

Is Rice Pudding The Same As Tapioca Pudding? No. While they are both prepared with similar ingredients, tapioca pudding is made with tapioca pearls not rice.

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