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    Home » Desserts

    EASY German Rice Pudding (Milchreis)

    Published: Sep 11, 2017 · Modified: Jul 9, 2025 by dirndlkitchen · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    This easy rice pudding recipe is one I grew up with in Germany. Simply combine rice with milk, vanilla bean, sugar, and a little butter, then let it simmer and thicken. I love to top my Milchreis (that's what we call it in Germany) with cinnamon sugar, stewed warm plums, warm apple sauce, or hot cherries for a warming afternoon treat, dessert, or even a meal!

    If you love rice pudding, you'll also love my steamed dumplings with homemade vanilla sauce (another German comfort meal called Dampfnudeln).

    Easy rice pudding topped with stewed plums.

    How to make rice pudding

    Once I discovered I could make a German-style rice pudding sprinkled with cinnamon sugar at home in America, life was never the same again. There is something so comforting and special about Milchreis that brings me straight back to my German childhood.

    girl in white sweater eating homemade rice pudding topped with cinnamon sugar

    In Germany, I often bought this treat in the yogurt aisle. However, American-made rice pudding tastes nothing like German rice pudding to me.

    German rice pudding is thick and creamy, made with cow's milk, round-grain rice, and a warming touch of real vanilla (I use a real vanilla bean for mine). After briefly cooking the rice in some butter, it's simmered in milk and a little sugar to slowly thicken the mixture.

    rice pudding topped with cinnamon apple sauce

    I love serving mine with spiced apple sauce, warm cherries, or simply some cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top.

    Who invented Milchreis?

    It's uncertain where Milchreis was invented. Some say it's Italian (made with whole milk and short grain rice like I did) and others that it's Austrian and resulted from making a meal from items from the pantry.

    homemade rice pudding topped with cinnamon sugar, cinnamon apples and hot cherries

    Ingredients

    • Rice. I use Arborio (round-grain rice) for my rice pudding as I feel like it brings me the most authentic results.
    • Milk. To get the best taste, use whole milk (although lower-fat versions work well, too). Feel free to use a dairy alternative milk instead.
    ingredients for rice pudding
    • Vanilla. I use a real vanilla bean, scrape out the middle and cook the pods with the rice as well. Vanilla bean paste is a great-tasting alternative. Vanilla extract can also be used if you don't have either.
    • Sugar. No need to use much as the natural milk sugar helps sweeten the rice pudding as well.
    • Cinnamon Sugar. This is for sprinkling on top when you're ready to serve it. It's a classic topping for rice pudding in Germany.

    Video

    Watch me make homemade rice pudding and see just how easy it is!

    Easy rice pudding topped with stewed plums.

    Easy Rice Pudding Recipe

    Author: Sophie Sadler
    This easy rice pudding recipe is one I grew up with in Germany. Simply combine rice with milk, vanilla bean, sugar, and a little butter, then let it simmer and thicken. I love to top my Milchreis (that's what we call it in Germany) with cinnamon sugar, warm cinnamon apple sauce, or hot cherries for a warming afternoon treat, dessert, or even a meal!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Coffee, Dessert, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine German
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 250 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Strainer
    • 1 sauce pan with lid
    • 1 Paring Knife

    Ingredients
     
     

    Rice Pudding

    • 1 ¼ liter milk I use whole or 2% milk. You could use a dairy-free alternative as well.
    • 250 grams round-grain rice like Arborio
    • 50 grams sugar
    • 15 grams butter
    • 1 vanilla bean half and scrape out seeds; use both pods and seeds for recipe

    Toppings

    • cinnamon sugar optional, other popular toppings are warm cinnamon apples, apple sauce, or warm cherries.
    Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

    Instructions
     

    • On medium high, melt butter in a large pot, then add the washed rice for 1 to 2 minutes.
      15 grams butter, 250 grams round-grain rice
    • Add the milk, sugar, and vanilla bean seeds and pods (or vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract). Combine with a spoon bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
      1 ¼ liter milk, 50 grams sugar, 1 vanilla bean
    • Once boiling, set to low, and cover with a lid.
    • Let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
    • The rice pudding is now ready to eat and can be served warm or cold. I love topping mine with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or hot cinnamon apples or hot cherries (you could use warm pie filling if you like it sweeter).
      cinnamon sugar

    Video

    Notes

    Makes 8 servings if served as dessert, or 4 servings if served as a meal.
    To make your rice pudding dairy free, simply replace the cow's milk with your favorite dairy-free milk. You may need to add more sugar to replace the natural sugar in milk, depending on the type of milk you use.
    Be creative when it comes to the toppings. You could even sprinkle with some mini chocolate chips or fresh berries.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 75mgPotassium: 278mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 308IUCalcium: 207mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Sophie Sadler dirndl kitchen headshot

    Hallo! I'm Sophie Sadler, cookbook author of 'The German Home Kitchen', coming this September, and German food blogger at dirndl kitchen since 2015. I am so happy you’re here! 🥨

    I moved from Trier, Germany to the U.S. in 2009 and soon terribly missed the flavors of home. Crusty German bread, flaky pastries, afternoon Kaffee & Kuchen, and, of course, Döner Kebab and pretzels! So, I started sharing my love for German food and traditions with fun, easy-to-follow recipes. Stay a while, bookmark some recipes, and let’s cook together!

    🥐 Join Plunderteig 101, which is my German Pastry School!
    🇩🇪 Become a Member to get exclusive recipes & behind-the-scenes content.
    📩 Subscribe to My Free Newsletter to get German food inspiration straight to your inbox!
    📚 Pre-Order My Cookbook The German Home Kitchen (Coming Sept 2025!)

    Mit viel Liebe,
    Sophie 💛

    More about me →

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