Sütlaç — Creamy Turkish Rice Pudding with a Caramelized Crust
Sütlaç is a traditional Turkish dessert known for its velvety creaminess, made with a small amount of rice, thickened with rice flour and a bit of starch. It’s gently flavored with rose water and mastic, cooked on the stovetop, and finished under a grill to develop a rich caramelized crust, adding a delightful smoky note.
🍚 Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Full-fat milk | 500 ml |
| Round-grain rice | 30 g |
| Water | 150 ml |
| Sugar | 30 g |
| Vanilla sugar packet | 1 |
| Rice flour | 1 tablespoon (heaped) |
| Starch (corn or potato) | 1 teaspoon |
| Orange blossom water | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | A pinch |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Prepare the rice:
Rinse rice thoroughly under cold water until water runs clear. Place in a small pot with 150 ml water and simmer gently until the water is absorbed but rice remains al dente (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. - Add milk:
Pour hot milk and salt over the rice. If you want, add aromatic flavorings here like cinnamon stick, lemon or orange zest. Bring to a gentle boil. - Make slurry:
Dissolve rice flour and starch in 1 tablespoon cold water. Gradually whisk in 5 tablespoons of hot milk, stirring after each addition. Slowly add this slurry back into the pot with milk and rice, whisking continuously. - Cook pudding:
Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes. The pudding will thicken slightly — it won’t coat a spoon fully, but will form a thin creamy film (similar to drinkable yogurt). - Sweeten and flavor:
Stir in sugar and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and mix in orange blossom water or your preferred essence (rose water, vanilla, mastic, rum essence). - Bake and caramelize:
Pour pudding into 3–4 ceramic ramekins, leaving room at the top for slight expansion. Place under a hot grill for about 5 minutes until the top forms a deep golden caramel crust with a lovely aroma. - Cool and chill:
Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for a few hours to set. When shaken gently, the pudding should wobble under the caramelized crust, indicating a creamy interior.
💡 Tips & Variations
- If no grill, bake ramekins in a water bath at 180°C just until crust forms.
- Experiment with flavoring: cinnamon sticks, lemon zest, or rose water make lovely variations.
- Use good quality milk and fresh rice flour for the best texture.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Sütlaç offers a luxurious blend of creamy texture and delicate floral aroma, finished with a caramelized crown that elevates this humble pudding to a decadent treat perfect for any occasion.