Goodbye Hot Chocolate Season — Creamy Vanilla Rice Pudding with a Chocolate Twist
As the weather warms up, it’s time to retire the hot chocolate—but before that, why not creatively use that leftover instant cocoa powder? I added it to a luscious, risotto-style vanilla rice pudding with honey and golden raisins. The result? Absolutely delicious and memorable. Bye bye hot chocolate, hello fresh greens!
🍚 Ingredients (Serves 5, ~2186 calories total)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Round-grain rice (Camolino) | 1 cup (200 g) |
| Milk | 1 liter |
| Cooking cream (15–20% fat) | 200 ml |
| Vanilla paste (or ½ vanilla pod) | 1 teaspoon |
| Honey | 2 heaping tablespoons (approx. 100 g) |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Butter | 20 g |
| Golden raisins (optional) | 50 g |
| Instant hot chocolate powder (no starch) | 3 tablespoons |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Toast rice:
In a wide saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add rice and salt, stir constantly for 2–3 minutes until rice becomes translucent and butter smells sweet. - Add warm milk gradually:
Heat milk separately until hot. Add two ladles of milk to rice, reduce heat to low, and stir slowly until milk is almost absorbed.
Continue adding milk one ladle at a time, stirring frequently, until milk is finished. - Add cream:
Similarly, add hot cooking cream ladle by ladle, stirring until fully absorbed. This entire process will take about 30 minutes (rice package cooking time ~17–18 minutes). - Check rice doneness:
Rice should be fully cooked but still have a slight bite (not mushy). If needed, add more hot milk to finish cooking. - Finish and rest:
Stir in honey, vanilla, and raisins (if using). Mix well, cover with a towel and lid, and let rest for 10 minutes. - Prepare serving dishes:
Sift instant cocoa powder evenly over the bottom of dessert bowls or deep plates (a generous layer so it melts under hot pudding). - Serve:
Spoon hot rice pudding over cocoa powder, then dust the tops with more cocoa powder. Serve immediately.
💡 Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Use quality cocoa powder free from starch for best melting and flavor.
- This pudding stays creamy even when cooled.
- Enjoy plain or with golden raisins for added sweetness and texture.
- Great as a comforting breakfast or light dessert.
🧾 Final Thoughts
This vanilla honey rice pudding with a cocoa surprise is a creative way to transition out of hot chocolate season. It’s creamy, flavorful, and perfect for warm spring days!