Combine the rice, water, butter and salt in a large pot. Bring to boil and simmer until the rice has absorbed most of the water. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
1 cup Arborio rice, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoon butter, 1 teaspoon table salt
Add the milk, cream, sugar or condensed milk, and vanilla to the rice. Simmer the mixture until the milk and cream has reduced and has been absorbed by the rice. Stirring every minute or so to ensure the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot. This will take about 30 to 35 minutes.
2 cups milk, ½ cup cream, 200 grams sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Allow the rice pudding to cool before serving. To prevent skin from forming on the top of the pudding, place a piece of cling film or plastic wrap on the top of the pudding, patting it down so that it makes contact with the top of the pudding.
Serve the pudding warm or cold, with a dash of cinnamon, some chocolate shavings, a dollop of jam and perhaps some fresh berries.
All temperatures stated are for conventional ovens. Decrease the temperature by 20°C/25°F or gas mark 1 for "fan" or air-fryers.
Video
Notes
Condensed milk can be replaced with 100-150 grams or ½-¾ cup of sugar (depending on how sweet you want the rice pudding). For the chocolate variation, I recommend 150grams/¾ cup.If you feel the rice pudding needs a little extra sweetness once cooking, sprinkle it with some sugar. For a chocolate rice pudding, add a third of a cup of sifted cocoa powder when you add in the milk and sugar. Continue cooking as per instructions.Raisins are commonly added to many rice pudding recipes, if you feel the need, toss in a cup of raisins or sultanas.Add in additional spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom or even a pumpkin spice mix to punch it up and make it your own.
Dairy-free or vegan rice pudding can be made by:
Substituting the milk and cream with coconut milk and cream
Using white or brown sugar as a sweetener - the only vegan condensed milk I like is the coconut milk variety. But this does have a very strong coconut flavour. I would opt for using sugar as a sweetener for the vegan alternative to keep that milder, softer flavour more reminiscent of rice pudding.
Substituting the butter with vegan margarine or neutral vegetable oil