Description
Risalamande is a traditional Danish rice pudding dessert made with creamy arborio rice pudding mixed with whipped cream, almonds, and vanilla, served with a warm cherry sauce. This classic holiday dish is rich, smooth, and subtly flavored with almond and lemon zest, perfect for festive occasions or a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Rice Pudding:
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 ounces chopped blanched almonds
For the Risalamande:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (recommended for best flavor; can substitute pure vanilla extract)
- 1/2 teaspoon quality almond extract
- Cherry Sauce (warm, for serving; see recipe link)
- Sprigs of fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice Pudding: Bring the rice, salt, lemon zest, sugar, and water to a boil in a medium-sized stock pot. Boil for 3 minutes, then add the milk and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Increase stirring frequency during the last 10 minutes to prevent scorching. Stir in the chopped blanched almonds. Let the rice cool, then chill for several hours or overnight.
- Prepare the Risalamande Cream: Beat the heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken. Add the sugar, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract, then continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-beat to avoid curdling the cream.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the whipped cream mixture gently into the chilled rice pudding to blend evenly. The rice may be stiff initially—stir to loosen it up, and continue stirring after adding the cream to break up any clumps. Serve the Risalamande at room temperature with warm cherry sauce and garnish with fresh mint if desired.
Notes
- Using arborio rice helps achieve a creamy texture in the pudding.
- Chilling the rice pudding overnight enhances the flavors and sets the texture for mixing with the whipped cream.
- Vanilla bean paste offers a more intense flavor compared to vanilla extract but can be substituted if unavailable.
- Be cautious not to over-beat the cream to prevent it from turning buttery.
- The warm cherry sauce adds a delightful contrast and is essential for an authentic serving experience.
