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Creamy Horchata Rice Pudding Recipe with Cinnamon Toasted Pepitas

creamy horchata rice pudding - featured image

A comforting and easy-to-make creamy horchata rice pudding infused with cinnamon and topped with crunchy cinnamon toasted pepitas. Perfect for cozy evenings or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (about 200g), rinsed
  • 4 cups whole milk (950ml) – can substitute almond milk for dairy-free
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (120ml)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) (about 60g)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (for toasting pepitas)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. (5 minutes)
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed rice, whole milk, cinnamon stick, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. (10 minutes)
  3. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring every few minutes until rice is tender and milk thickens, about 20-25 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  4. Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in sweetened condensed milk, sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Cook for another 5 minutes until thickened to your liking.
  5. While pudding finishes, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add pepitas, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Stir frequently until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  6. Spoon pudding into bowls and sprinkle generously with cinnamon toasted pepitas. Serve warm or chilled.

Notes

Rinsing the rice prevents clumping and keeps pudding creamy. Cook on low heat and stir often to avoid scorching. Toast pepitas carefully to avoid burning. If pudding thickens too much when cooled, stir in a splash of milk to loosen. Can substitute pepitas with toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts. For dairy-free, use almond or oat milk and coconut condensed milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: rice pudding, horchata, cinnamon, pepitas, creamy dessert, easy dessert, cozy dessert