Scandinavian Rice Pudding with Cranberries is the very definition of comfort food, no matter what corner of the earth you currently call home. If you’ve got a stove, a saucepan, some pantry staples, and a bag of cranberries, you’re in luck!
Scandinavian rice pudding with cranberries is perfect for cozying up this winter
Rice pudding is one of those rare desserts without an ounce of decadence. It feels wholesome and nourishing! Which is nice when it’s cold outside and you’re craving something sweet. Although rice pudding is often served chilled, I love this one best warm from the pot. The vanilla and cardamom are extra aromatic and it’s the most comforting treat ever.
traditional Scandinavian rice pudding |ย risgrynsgrรถt (rice-grain-porridge)
Just about every country that has access to rice claims a rice pudding. This one has been made in the Scandinavian countries for centuries, and has long been a part of Christmas celebrations.ย It’s essentially rice cooked in sweetened milk, spiced with vanilla bean and cardamom or cinnamon. Each Scandinavian country has its special variation, naturally.
- Swedishย risgrynsgrรถtย is servedย with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a pat of butter for breakfast, or with berries for a festive holiday dessert.
- Norwegianย risgrรธt is traditionally served on the 23rd of December orย “Lillejulaften” (Little Christmas Eve.)
- Danishย risalamandeย involves almonds..many Scandinavian rice pudding recipes call for a whole almond that is planted in the pudding, the person who finds the almond will have good luck in the New Year. Risalamande is often served with a warm cherry sauce (could also be raspberry or plum) which inspired my cranberry sauce.
what you’ll need to make this Scandi rice pudding
- rice ~ I like to use Arborio rice. The firm glossy grains (traditionally used for Italian risotto) have the best texture for rice pudding, in my opinion. They’ll stay firm and keep their shape without disintegrating.
- whole milk or a combination of milk and cream. I used 5 cups milk, 1 cup cream. The cream takes it into holiday territory ๐
- sugar
- vanilla bean (use extract if you don’t have a bean)
- cardamom
You’ll also need a heavy bottomed saucepan. The heavy bottom helps conduct heat evenly so the pudding doesn’t scorch. This is helpful for all kinds of puddings and custards. I like to use a silicone spoonula as well, because that makes it so easy to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan. What did I ever do before spoonulas??
for the optional (but highly recommended) cranberry sauce
- fresh cranberries
- sugar
my simple method for making rice pudding
- Put the milk and cream into a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium high heat.
- Scrape in the vanilla bean seeds (throw the pod in too) and add the cardamom and rice.
- Bring the mixture up to a simmer, then turn down the heat and cook at a gentle boil for about 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender. The pudding will be thick but still runny. It completely firms up as it chills.
- Ladle the pudding into individual jars or glasses and chill.
Note: the pudding may still seem soupy when it’s done, and that’s normal. Just be sure you’ve cooked it for about 45 minutes and the rice tastes tender. It will solidify in as it chills in the refrigerator.
a simple cranberry sauce takes just minutes – it’s soo worth it!
You’ll just need to heat the tart berries with sugar and a splash of water to get things started, in a saucepan. The berries will burst as they heat up and create an almost instant sauce. Cranberries are naturally high in pectin, so there is no need to artificially thicken it.
more topping ideas for creamy rice pudding
The combination of the tart fruit sauce and the creamy pudding is quite unique and lovely, but if you don’t want to bother with the sauce, sweetened whipped cream works just fine, too. If you have a jar of good quality lingonberry jam or sauce, that would also make a lovely and on-theme topping for this rice pudding.
more Scandinavian recipes to try this winter
- Chopped Steak with Bacon and Mushroom Gravy
- Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Apples, and Brown Cabbage
- Traditional Swedish Pepparkakor Cookies
- Finnish Salmon Soup
- Cardamom Spritz Cookies
Scandinavian Rice Pudding with Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 vanilla bean
Cranberry sauce
- 3 cups raw cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 splash water
Instructions
- Put the milk and cream, rice, sugar, cardamom and vanilla seeds to a simmer. Turn down the heat and cook, uncovered, for about 40-45 minutes until thickened. Stir often, and pay more attention after about 30 minutes, when it starts to thicken. You don't want it to scorch on the bottom or sides of the pan. The pudding is done when the rice is plump and tender, and the custard has thickened somewhat. Note: the rice pudding will thicken further as it chills.
- Pour the pudding into individual bowls or glasses. Let cool, then chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. You can also serve warm, if you prefer. Serve topped with cranberry sauce.
- To make the cranberry sauce put the cranberries, sugar, and a splash of water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.
- Boil, stirring often, for about 5 or so minutes, until the berries burst and the sauce is glossy. You can serve this warm or chilled, on top of the pudding.
Notes
- The pudding may still seem soupy when it’s done, and that’s normal. Just be sure you’ve cooked it for about 45 minutes and the rice tastes tender. It will solidify in as it chills in the refrigerator.ย
- Substitute cinnamon for cardamom if you prefer.
This was the perfect ending to a blustery cold day. Cardamom is lovely and a nice departure from the cinnamon usually found in rice pudding here in the US. The sweetness level was perfect, too! Even my teenage daughter, who dislikes all puddings and custards, had a bowl declaring it delicious with a great texture. I was out of arborrio and subbed sushi rice instead, and it still turned out amazing. Thank you!
Hi Sue! We LOVE your recipes! If we want to serve this warm, weโd just serve from the pot into bowls with the cranberries- letting it cook a little? Weโve been cooking for my in laws once a week and the last 4 weeks have been all your recipes! Fantastic meals.
Letting it cool not cook a little bit.
Yes for sure Vikki, I think rice pudding is best when warm ๐
Hello! Happy New Year!
Have you ever made this in a slow cooker?
No, sorry, I haven’t tried that Lezlie.
Is the cream half and half or whipping cream?
Hey Polly ~ when I refer to cream I mean heavy cream, or whipping cream. You could also substitute half and half.
Iโm going to call this recipe Hygge perfection ??
So fragrant and luxurious… I also tried it with a dollop of Trader Joeโs Seville Orange marmalade ??
Haha, nice description, and thanks for the idea of using marmalade with rice pudding, I LOVE that!
Hey Sue! Read about your recipe or suggestions for rice porridge or pudding … we cook the porridge and eat it for lunch on Christmas Eve as a tradition, but it can be bought ready-made in the grocery store all year round and is also served as school lunch at this time. We have a special rice called porridge rice meant for this particular porridge there is also the tradition to hide an almond in the porridge pan the person who gets the almond will get married in the coming years Rice a la Malta with orange and sometimes raisins are on most Christmas tables as a classic dessert also served in schools I do like your rec. and the lovely way you presents easy to understand and many good / good features … inspiring
Hi Sue,
I have been following your recipes for quite some time now and though I haven’t tried out many recipes cause I live in India and many ingredients are not easily available here. But this recipe is very Indian and we call it Kheer in India. It is made every now and then and instead of vanilla extract we put cardamom, saffron, nutmeg and nuts like almonds, cashews, pistachios and raisins… It’s one of my favorite dishes and my comfort food…lol. Love your recipe too and will try out with any fresh available berries in my area… Thanks for the recipe…
I love this recipe, however, you stated to use vanilla extract in place of vanilla bean seeds if desired. You did not list the amount of vanilla extract to use. Could you please list this as well? I am anxious to try this.
Thanks so much,
Deb
I’d start with a teaspoon Debra, but you could up that amount, to taste.
I love your recipes — there are fun, tasty & written is such a casual manner that I know that each one I start will be a success. Thank you for doing a super job! Re the Cranberry Pudding — could this be converted to an Instant Pot recipe?
Great question, and I tried that, but unfortunately it doesn’t work. Milk ‘steam’ clogs the pressure cooker and is a no-no. Luckily most of the time the rice cooks pretty much on its own, you just have to keep an eye on it now and then.