Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
This Slow Cooker Rice Pudding is the perfect hands-off dessert. Made with Arborio rice — the same short-grain variety used in risotto — it creates a naturally rich and creamy texture without needing heavy cream or eggs. As it cooks low and slow, the rice releases its starches, while a blend of white and brown sugar brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness balanced by cozy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- ½ cup Arborio rice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
1. Combine Ingredients
Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Add the milk, Arborio rice, both sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Stir well until the sugars are mostly dissolved.
2. Add Butter
Place the tablespoon of butter on top of the mixture. As it melts during cooking, it adds a smooth, velvety richness to the pudding.
3. Cook Slowly
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Tip: Arborio rice is essential for achieving that creamy consistency because of its high starch content. Using long-grain rice will result in a thinner, less creamy pudding.
4. Stir Occasionally
Give the pudding a stir at the 2-hour mark and again around 3 hours. This helps evenly distribute the starch and ensures a smooth texture.
5. Add Raisins and Adjust Texture
Once the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened, stir in the raisins. If the pudding feels too thick, mix in a small splash of milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
6. Serve
Dust with additional cinnamon before serving. Enjoy it warm for a comforting treat, or refrigerate for about an hour if you prefer it chilled and slightly firmer.
Pro Tips
- Milk matters: Whole milk delivers the richest texture. Lower-fat milk can be used, but the result will be lighter.
- Too thick after cooling? Rice pudding naturally thickens as it sits. Stir in a tablespoon or two of milk when reheating leftovers.
- Switch up the fruit: Replace raisins with dried cranberries for a tart twist or chopped dried apricots for a sweeter variation.