My grandmother used to make Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding for dessert at most of our family gatherings, especially the holidays! She included slivered almonds in the pudding and a few whole almonds as well. Everyone that found a whole almond got a prize of some sort and we loved searching for them. We were so careful when we were chewing! Usually the adults passed any whole almonds they found to the closest child so they could claim the prize. This is why I smile every time I make it and I always will!

My grandmother and I shared our love of cooking and baking together. She taught me so many things, including how to make this Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding. We used to both keep a binder with recipes from everywhere in it. Not only would we try the recipes together. I got to learn how to adjust them to suit our personal tastes. She was amazing in the kitchen and definitely the original Kitchen Diva in our family!

Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding is such a fun way to eat dessert! My grandmother used to sit the prizes beside her while we searched for the whole almonds in every bowl we ate! The prizes were small, nothing spectacular, but we always loved winning them! Sometimes we ate way too much pudding just looking for the whole almonds!

Not only is this Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding fantastic all by itself, feel free to add anything your heart desires to it! I don’t always put cinnamon in it. My husband sometimes adds a little whipped cream and maple syrup right before he eats it. My son loves whipped cream with berries on top. I always serve it so everyone can make their own. Along with the whipped cream we put out raspberries, blueberries, raisins, more slivered almonds and maple syrup.

Myself, I prefer this Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding all by itself! Just the way I have always had it! Don’t get me wrong, occasionally I will add some more whipped cream or even add a couple of berries, but for the most part I eat this dish just as it is. This is total comfort food to me and it always will be!

We made a video below so you can see exactly how we make this Stovetop Raisin Rice Pudding. It takes some time to make but is really worth the effort!

Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding

Ingredients

2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white rice, medium or long grain
2 12 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground, more or less to taste
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup raisins, more or less to taste
1/2 cup almonds, slivered
almonds, whole, depends on the number of prizes

Instructions

In a large pot, over high heat, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the salt and then rice. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for between 15 and 20 minutes. You have to stir the rice regularly until the rice is cooked and the water is almost totally absorbed into the rice.
Now add the cream first. Then the milk and then the sugar. Stir until blended. Turn your heat up to medium high and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce your heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered for between 35 and 45 minutes. You must stir this regularly, especially as it thickens.
As the rice mixture gets really thick, add cinnamon if you are using it. I recommend adding 1/2 a teaspoon first. Stir until combined. After a few minutes taste it and decide if you would prefer a little more cinnamon. Reduce the temperature to low and stir frequently so the rice pudding doesn't stick to the bottom of your pot. Keep on stirring over low heat until a little spoon is able to stand up on its own, another 10-15 minutes.
Once your pudding is thick enough remove it from heat. Add the vanilla and stir. Next, add as many raisins and slivered almonds as you would like. I have given you a rough idea of how much I use. Add some of each and stir until you are satisfied with how much you have added! If you are going to use a couple of whole almonds for everyone to search for this is the time to do it. If you have three prizes, my grandmother used to have them sitting on the table beside her for whoever found the 3 whole almonds!
Allow rice pudding to cool before serving. You can serve it at room temperature but I always serve it cool. You can store this pudding in a sealed container in your refrigerator for a couple days.