Cinnamon-Date Rice Pudding is a subtle elevation of classic, creamy, lightly sweetened rice pudding. This recipe incorporates the sweet caramel flavor of dates with traditional cinnamon-rice custard, dotted with plump, juicy raisins. And thanks to the natural, rich sweetness of dates, this dessert and breakfast classic requires very little added sugar! A most yummy win!
Bring on the Dates
- Bunches of different varieties of dates are available at various grocery and specialty food stores. Different types of dates vary in size and flavor profile. The most common date in American grocery stores may be medjool dates, which I used to develop this recipe. Other varieties can be subbed for slight variations!
- Dates exude caramel-y sweetness… while being healthful?! What a combo! Check out some of the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor properties of yummy dates!
- Measuring dates can be tough. Sizes vary and it’s tough to smush them into a measuring cup. I recommend pouring 3/4 cup milk into a 2-cup measuring cup. Add the dates to the milk, ensuing they are all submerged, and watch the milk rise to 1 1/4 cups after 1/2 cup of dates displace the milk.
- Make absolutely sure to remove each date seed and each fibrous little date top. Nobody wants to bite into a rock-hard date pit while enjoying a nice bowl of luscious, smooth, rice pudding.
Cinnamon-Date Rice Pudding Add-ins and Exchanges
- Incorporate your favorites spices – 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg or cloves – whatever sounds good to you!
- Swap raisins for other dried fruit – chopped dried apricots, dried cherries, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, etc.
- Stir in a teaspoon of espresso powder to compliment Cinnamon-Date Rice Pudding with a hint of coffee. Or just serve the pudding with a hot cup of joe!
- For a no-added-sugar version, add a few extra dates and drop the brown sugar.
- I developed this recipe with medjool dates. Try subbing other varieties and explore subtle flavor shifts.
Looking for Another Low/No Added Sugar Recipe?
Try Honey Ice Cream – sweetened only with fresh, raw honey! Yum!
Cinnamon-Date Rice Pudding
Cinnamon-Date Rice Pudding is a subtle spin on classic rice pudding. This recipe relies on the sweet caramel flavor of dates to sweeten the cinnamon rice custard, dotted with plump, juicy raisins.
Ingredients
- 3 ¾ cups whole milk, divided
- ½ cup white rice, uncooked
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dates, (about 10-12 medjool dates, pits and stems removed)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
- Heat 3 cups of milk over low heat until steaming. Add rice and salt. Stir regularly (every 3-5 minutes) for 30 minutes. Mixture should not boil, but it should release steam and could produce a few bubbles (about 190 degrees).
- Meanwhile, add 3/4 cup milk, dates, brown sugar, yolks, cinnamon, and vanilla to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- While whisking the rice mixture constantly and rapidly, pour the date mixture into the milk mixture. Continue to stir and heat for 5 minutes. Mixture should reach at least 165, but should not boil.
- Remove from heat. Stir in raisins. Continue to stir every five minutes or so as the mixture cools to prevent a film from forming on top. The mixture will be thin, but will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold per preference. Garnish with an extra dash of cinnamon on each serving.
