Fruity, sweet, creamy and with a hint of cinnamon, this apple and coconut rice pudding is a delicious warmly spiced dessert. It's easy to make with risotto rice and if you're looking for a comfort food pudding then it'll definitely warm you up.
I hadn't eaten rice pudding for a long long time when I first made this dessert, probably not since I was a child. Rice pudding is a very traditional pudding and I remember my mum used to make it.
It wasn't quite like this rice pudding though, I'm certain it didn't contain any spices. And spices are what I believe can make such a big difference to this type of comfort food pudding. Don't you agree?
What ingredients are in this rice pudding?
To make this sweet rice pudding you'll need:
- Desiccated coconut - It adds flavour and texture.
- An apple - Use your favourite sweet apple
- Butter - I prefer to use unsalted for this
- Risotto rice - You can replace it with pudding rice
- Caster sugar - Brown sugar is also nice in it but colours the rice pudding more.
- Ground cinnamon
- Coconut milk
Can you use risotto rice in rice pudding?
Yes, I usually use arborio rice in this rice pudding and it works really well. I discovered it quite by accident as I had difficulty getting pudding rice a few years ago.
The rice breaks down in the rice pudding in a similar way to pudding rice.
I haven't tried carnaroli rice or paella rice in rice pudding yet but I'm sure they would also work as alternatives.
A great recipe to make with leftovers
When I first developped this risotto rice pudding recipe it was as a way of using up some leftovers. I had some leftover coconut milk and just one apple. I actually tried it as an experiment but it was one of those experiments that was so tasty it had to be recorded and made again!
By the way, here are some more recipes you can make with leftover coconut milk.
What is this coconut rice pudding like?
The risotto rice, apple and desiccated coconut mean this rice pudding has some great texture to it, but it is still creamy. The cinnamon which goes deliciously with the apple makes it super warming and comforting too.
What can you do with the leftovers?
If you want to cook a larger batch of this rice pudding then you can keep the leftovers in the fridge for at least 3 days. It's then great to eat cold or you can reheat it.
I usually reheat it in the microwave but you can also reheat it in a saucepan on the hob. You may need to add a little extra liquid to stop it sticking though.
Can you freeze rice pudding?
Yes, any leftovers can also be frozen for a maximum of 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge and then reheat it in the microwave or a saucepan.
More Desserts you Might like
This is currently the only rice pudding recipe here on Searching for Spice. However, I do have some more comfort food puddings that are great to eat warm so how about:
Microwave marmalade sponge pudding
Recipe
Apple and Coconut Rice Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut
- 2 apples
- 40 g butter
- 50 g risotto rice
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 200 ml coconut milk
Instructions
- Pour a little boiling water onto the desiccated coconut and leave to soak. Peel and core the apple and dice into small cubes.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the apple. Cook for a couple of minutes then add the rice. Stir till the rice is translucent then add the sugar and cinnamon, followed by the coconut milk and water containing the desiccated coconut.
- Simmer very gently, stirring every so often until the rice is soft and the pudding creamy.
Rose of Magpies Recipes
Thanks for sending this in to Sugar High Friday Corina! Have posted the round up
Jacqueline
I'm reading this recipe and saying "oh that sounds nice" I sound like a dirty old man! But this sounds fabulous. I had the same question recently about pudding rice and apparently Sainsbury's have their own brand - in a blue box if that helps
Corina
Thanks for the advice. I'm sure I'll see it next time I go shopping now that I don't need it! Luckily I want to experiment with more rice puddings so it will be useful if I can track it down.
C
I like the idea of adding different things to rice pudding. I tend to stick to tradition, and have mine baked with a nutmeggy skin! You can still get pudding rice in most of the (larger) supermarkets. It doesn't tend to be with the other rice though, it's often with flaked rice, ground rice, semolina and other dessert type things. If you don't have any luck finding it, I'll look which aisle it's down when I next go shopping (prob next w'end now). The trouble is, because so few people seem to make their own rice pudding, when you ask the assistants they look like you're speaking a foreign language and then try and lead you to Ambrosia tins/chilled rice pudding. It is still out there though!
Joanne
Rice pudding is one of my absolute favorite desserts. These are some great mix-ins for it!
Dave at eRecipeCards
i am with you on the rice puddings from my childhood... not too exciting. this sounds wonderful!
And the pistachio sounds incredible as well
Lavender and Lovage
I LOVE the idea of making rice pudding with coconut milk.......looks and sounds delightful!
Karen