All the comforts of rice pudding without the fat and calories!
Nothing says comfort food like rice pudding. That mixture of creamy rice and sweet toppings make this dish a favorite snack and dessert, but it’s also known for packing quite a bit of fat, sugar, and calories when prepared using traditional ingredients. Our clean eating Almond Milk Rice Pudding with Cranberries uses substitutions that guarantee you a creamy, comforting meal with only the most wholesome of ingredients. Make a batch for a weekend indoors with family, book club with your girlfriends, or a special occasion – it’s perfect for bridal showers, baby showers, and birthdays!
We’ve substituted white rice with brown rice in this recipe. Brown rice is unrefined, retaining its original fiber and nutrient content, which makes it a far healthier choice than white rice. And the nutty flavor of brown rice pairs perfectly with our favorite nut, the almond. A handful of almonds, and the addition of almond milk in place of whole milk or cream make this a healthy treat with flavors reminiscent of those scrumptious almond pastries found in European-style bakeries. But unlike a pastry, or a traditional rice pudding, this pudding won’t wreak havoc on your waistline.
We’ve recommended natural sweeteners such as coconut sugar or honey, to give this rice pudding a sweet flavor without loading on the refined sugars. And the addition of cranberries gives a delightfully tart taste. A dash of cinnamon round out the flavor profile of this comforting dessert perfectly. Enjoy with loved ones for dessert, or any time of day!
Almond Milk Rice Pudding with Cranberries
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 whole vanilla pod
- 1 cup short-grained brown rice uncooked
- 2 1/2 cups almond milk unsweetened (add more to adjust consistency if necessary)
- 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar or honey (add more if desired)
- 2 tablespoons almonds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
- If using a vanilla pod, slice it in the middle throughout the whole length, then with the tip of the knife, scrape off the seeds inside.
- Over high heat, in a medium saucepan, combine the rice, almond milk, sweetener and vanilla seeds, and the pod or the vanilla extract. When it starts to boil, put down the fire to low.
- Stir the rice frequently to avoid burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook between 35-45 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. If the rice is starting to dry up, add more almond milk. It should have a creamy consistency.
- Meantime, over low heat, in a dry small saucepan, toast the almonds for about 3 to 5 minutes until they turn golden and are fragrant. Chop coarsely then set aside.
- Some dried cranberries are mixed with too much sugar so to send away that excessive sweetness, soak them first in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. Drain, squeeze out the excess water, and chop. Set aside.
- When the rice is cooked, turn off the fire then take away the vanilla pod.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon then add top with the cranberries and almonds.
Nutrition Information
Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms
Make sure that you subscribe to our newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on anything Skinny Ms.
For more tasty recipes, healthy lifestyle tips, and whole body workouts, check out our Facebook page and follow us on Pinterest.
We’d love to hear what you think of this post, or what you’d like to see on our site. Leave us a comment in the comments section below.
This is a FABULOUS dessert! (I admit to having it for a fast breakfast, too LOL!)
I did use a dash of pure stevia powder, instead of the sugar/honey.
This rice pudding is a creamy delight! Great recipe! Thank You!
It takes much longer than 20 minutes to cook the rice, more like 45 minutes. But overall, not a terrible recipe.
Jody, Yep, it really depends on the brand of rice. I did tweak the recipe to reflect up to 45 minutes. 🙂 Thanks!