Ina Garten’s Dreamy Rum Raisin Rice Pudding Recipe: Sweet Comfort

Silky, creamy, and utterly decadent, this Ina Garten rum raisin rice pudding recipe promises a luxurious dessert experience that transports you straight to culinary comfort.

Sweet golden raisins plumped with rich rum infuse each delightful spoonful with warmth and depth.

The classic technique transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.

Garten’s approach ensures a foolproof method for creating a dessert that’s simultaneously elegant and approachable.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor that dance across your palate.

The pudding velvety texture and complex notes make it an irresistible finale to any meal.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor a dessert that turns an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 415 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding

• Rice: Provides creamy, hearty foundation with soft, tender texture perfect for pudding.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the dessert.
• Water: Essential for initial rice cooking, creating perfect rice consistency.

• Half-and-Half, Whole Milk: Creates luxurious, velvety smoothness with rich, comforting taste.
• Egg: Adds silky thickness and helps bind pudding ingredients together.
• Sugar: Brings delightful sweetness and helps caramelize during cooking.

• Raisins: Delivers delectable bursts of natural sweetness and chewy texture.
• Rum: Infuses sophisticated, warm depth and elevates traditional rice pudding profile.
• Vanilla: Introduces aromatic, classic undertone that complements creamy dessert.

Equipment List for Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding

• Small Bowl: Perfect for soaking raisins in rum.
• Saucepan: Large enough to cook rice and create creamy pudding.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir ingredients smoothly without scratching pan.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate amounts of rice, water, and half-and-half.
• Whisk: Great for beating egg and mixing ingredients evenly.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for final mixing and serving pudding.
• Plastic Wrap: Covers pudding to prevent skin formation.

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding

Rum Raisin Comfort

• Raisin Preparation Soak golden raisins in rich rum, allowing them to plump and absorb delicious flavor. Let the raisins rest while preparing other ingredients.
• Rice Foundation Cook rice with a pinch of salt until tender and water is mostly absorbed. The rice should be soft and ready to transform into a creamy dessert.
• Creamy Transformation Combine rice with smooth half-and-half and sweet sugar. Gently simmer the mixture, stirring consistently to create a luxurious texture. The slow cooking process allows flavors to meld beautifully.
• Silky Finish Whisk a fresh egg into the warm rice mixture, creating an impossibly smooth consistency. The egg adds richness and depth to the pudding.
• Final Touch Fold in remaining half-and-half, fragrant vanilla, and rum-soaked raisins. Transfer to a serving dish, covering the surface to prevent any skin from forming. Enjoy warm for maximum comfort or chill for a refreshing treat.

How to Make Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding Even Better

• Experiment with different rum varieties like dark, spiced, or aged rum to add unique depth and complexity to the rice pudding's taste profile.
• Adjust sugar quantities to suit personal preferences, using brown sugar or honey for richer caramel undertones or reducing sugar for a more subtle dessert.
• Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or crumbled graham crackers on top for delightful crunch and additional layers of textural interest.
• Incorporate seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom during colder months, or fold in fresh summer berries for a refreshing twist on the classic recipe.
• Prepare the rice pudding up to 3 days in advance, storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheating with a splash of additional half-and-half to restore its creamy consistency.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding

• Pair with Warm Cinnamon Sprinkle: Dust the top of the rice pudding with ground cinnamon for a cozy, aromatic touch that complements the rum-soaked raisins.
• Serve with Caramelized Pecans: Scatter toasted, caramelized pecans over the pudding to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the creamy dessert.
• Create Elegant Dessert Presentation: Serve in individual glass parfait dishes or vintage ceramic bowls to elevate the pudding's rustic charm and make it feel extra special.
• Add Fresh Berry Garnish: Top with a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries to bring a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet, rich rice pudding.

Keeping Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding Fresh

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the rice pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The plastic wrap directly on the surface prevents a skin from forming and keeps the pudding creamy and fresh.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer the cooled pudding to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and give it a gentle stir before serving to restore its smooth texture.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Enjoy the pudding chilled straight from the fridge or warm it gently in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Stir well to distribute heat evenly and prevent any hot spots.
• Refresh Before Serving: If the pudding seems too thick after refrigeration, whisk in a splash of milk or half-and-half to restore its creamy consistency. This quick trick brings back the pudding's original silky texture.

Decadent Ina Garten Rum Raisin Rice Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rich and creamy rum raisin rice pudding celebrates Ina Garten’s classic dessert with plump raisins soaked in dark rum. Comfort arrives through each spoonful you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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• 5 cups (1.2 L) half-and-half
• ¾ cup (150 g) white basmati rice
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• ¾ cup (120 g) raisins
• 1 extra-large egg
• 2 tbsps dark rum
• 1 ½ tsps pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Rum Infusion: Submerge raisins in rum within a sealed container, allowing the dried fruit to luxuriate and absorb the spirited essence for maximum flavor complexity.
2. Rice Foundation: In a medium saucepan, combine rice, salt, and water. Bring to a robust boil, stirring briefly to prevent rice clustering, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until water is nearly absorbed, creating a tender rice base.
3. Creamy Transformation: Introduce half-and-half and sugar into the rice mixture. Escalate to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Maintain constant stirring to prevent scorching, cooking until the rice achieves a luxuriously smooth, creamy texture that epitomizes comfort.
4. Egg Integration: Delicately temper the beaten egg by gradually streaming it into the rice pudding, whisking continuously to prevent curdling. Allow the mixture to meld for a brief moment, ensuring a silky, uniform consistency.
5. Final Flourish: Withdraw from heat and gently fold in remaining half-and-half, vanilla extract, and rum-soaked raisins. Transfer to a serving dish, drape with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent skin formation. Serve either warmly inviting or refreshingly cool, celebrating the pudding’s rich, indulgent character.

Notes

• Optimize Raisin Soaking: Allow raisins to marinate in rum for at least 30 minutes before cooking to maximize flavor absorption and alcohol infusion.
• Watch Rice Cooking Carefully: Monitor rice closely during initial boiling to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking, stirring gently once to separate grains.
• Prevent Egg Scrambling: Slowly introduce beaten egg into hot mixture while continuously stirring to create a smooth, creamy texture without unwanted egg chunks.
• Storage Secret: Cover pudding surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and maintain optimal moisture when refrigerating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 415
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 83 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 83 mg