White Chocolate Rice Pudding with Cherries Jubilee and Sliced Almonds
This recipe creates a rich and creamy white chocolate rice pudding, tempered with egg yolks and chilled until set. It's served topped with a warm, boozy cherry sauce and toasted almonds for a decadent dessert.
Equipment
- 1 Heavy Saucepan For cooking the rice pudding base.
- 1 Whisk Essential for stirring and tempering egg yolks.
- 1 Small Bowl For tempering the egg yolks.
- 1 Large Bowl For chilling the finished pudding.
- 1 Small Saucepan For warming the cherry sauce.
Ingredients
Main
- 4 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup long-grain white rice
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons whipping cream
- 4 ounces good-quality white chocolate recommended: Lindt or Valrhona, chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Warm Cherry Sauce recipe follows
- Whipped cream for garnish, optional
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds toasted, for garnish
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons kirsch cherry brandy
Instructions
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a heavy, large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture thickens and rice is very tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
- Reduce heat to low. Whisk egg yolks and cream together in a small bowl. Gradually whisk 1/2 cup rice mixture into egg mixture; return mixture to the saucepan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly; do not let boil. Remove from the heat. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in the orange zest and cinnamon. Transfer pudding to a large bowl, cover, and chill until cold. Serve in bowls or large goblets with Warm Cherry Sauce, whipped cream, and toasted almonds on top, or layer in parfait glasses.
Notes
Use whole milk for the richest, creamiest pudding texture. When tempering the egg yolks, gradually whisk in the hot rice mixture to slowly raise their temperature and prevent scrambling. Ensure the pudding does not boil after the egg mixture is added, or it may curdle. Good quality white chocolate melts more smoothly and provides better flavor. Chill the pudding thoroughly for best results and texture. Gently warm the cherry sauce before serving.