Risalamande, Danish Rice Pudding, is often eaten on Christmas Eve in Denmark. But we've decided it's delicious enough to serve anytime!
One of my favorite desserts of all time is rich and creamy rice pudding. I hadn't made this pudding before, so when I was asked to make Risalamande for Anna and Vince’s Danish Christmas dinner, I was excited to try this new dessert recipe.
Risalamande (riz à l’amande) is probably the most famous Danish Christmas dessert and is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve.
The name comes from the French, meaning “rice with almonds.” The base of this dessert is basic rice pudding with added vanilla, whipped cream and crushed almonds.
It isn’t overly sweet, and the richness of the silky cherry sauce makes it irresistibly delicious.
When making the dessert in Denmark, it is customary to hide a whole almond somewhere in the pudding and the person who finds it in his or her serving wins a prize.
The person who finds the almond keeps it in the corner of the mouth until everyone is finished so that everyone thinks that they might win.
The prize is traditionally a small marzipan pig or chocolate heart.
Our winner…….Phil!
This dish is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve, but don’t wait until Christmas. Once you've tasted this Danish treat, you'll definitely want to enjoy it year round!
Can Rice Pudding be Made in Advance?
Yes! Make the rice pudding portion of this recipe a day before serving. Cool it down, cover and refrigerate.
You can either serve it chilled with the cherry sauce or let it sit until it's room temperature, if desired.
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- Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Danish
Keyword: Risalamande (Danish Rice Pudding)
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Jurga
Ingredients
Rice Pudding Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups skim milk
- ⅔ cup sugar, divided
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Arborio rice, risotto rice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon good quality almond extract, divided
- 1 cup blanched almonds, finely chopped and slightly toasted (see Gr8 Tip below)
- 1 whole blanched almond
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste , or 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise and scraped (do not use vanilla extract)
Cherry Sauce Ingredients
- 1 24-ounce jar Morello cherries in light syrup, available at Traders Joe's or specialty stores
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 3 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
Rice Pudding Recipe
Bring the two kinds of milk, 5 Tablespoons of the sugar, salt and rice to a boil in a large pot.
Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer, until rice is tender, stirring every 3-4 minutes for approximately 35 minutes, to prevent the rice and milk from burning. It can burn very quickly.
Once rice is thickened and cooked, pour rice mixture into a large bowl to cool.
While rice is cooling, in a medium well-chilled bowl (stainless works best) add whipping cream, ¼ teaspoon almond extract and 2 Tablespoons of the sugar.
Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, extract and sugar until the cream is stiff and has formed peaks. Set the bowl aside.
Add the chopped almonds, the one whole almond and vanilla paste to the rice mixture and mix well.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the rice mixture.
Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours (may be made the day before).
Divide the rice pudding either chilled or room temperature into 8 individual bowls.
Top with warm cherry sauce and serve.
Cherry Sauce Recipe
Using a colander, drain the cherries in a bowl and reserve the liquid.
Combine the cornstarch with the water and stir until completely combined.
In a medium saucepan, add the reserved cherry liquid, the remaining 2 Tablespoons of sugar, the cornstarch mixture, and butter and bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low.
Add the drained cherries and ¼ teaspoon almond extract and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes or more until sauce is slightly thickened.
Notes
Gr8 Tip:
- If blanched almonds are not available, blanch regular whole almonds by filling a saucepan with ⅔ water. Bring to a boil. Place the almonds in the water. Blanch for 1 minute. Drain, cool and squeeze the skin off.
- Before chopping the almonds, bake them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to soften the almonds and increase the nutty flavor. Keep your eye on them so they do not brown.
Gr8 Do Ahead Tip:
The pudding can be made one day ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.
« Smørrebrød - A Danish Traditional Sandwich
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FAQs
The rice pudding will have one whole almond hidden in it and whoever gets the almond in their dish of pudding wins a prize. We always have all the small children in the family get an almond in their pudding so they win a little prize of some sort – this year it's warm and fuzzy socks!
What Danish version of rice pudding containing one almond is actually a game where the finder of the almond gets a prize? ›
Mandelgave (aka Almond Present)
To add to the Danish Christmas tradition, there is a fun, traditional game called “mandelgave” (or “Almond Present). This is where a single, whole almond is mixed into the risalamande and hidden before serving.
In which European country is it traditional to hide a single almond in a rice pudding served on Christmas and why? ›
In Sweden, Finland, and Norway
Typically it is made of chilled leftover rice pudding, whipped cream, sugar and vanilla, with or without almonds. By tradition, the person finding a hidden almond in the dessert is expected to get married before the next Christmas.
Why is rice pudding so good? ›
The sweet, rich and creamy mixture is downright delish. You've got to love that it's made from simple ingredients like rice, milk, sugar and eggs.
What is hidden inside the rice pudding eaten in Sweden and Norway at New Year what will happen to the person who finds it? ›
In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year's Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.
Why do Norwegians put an almond in rice pudding? ›
It is traditional for families to place a single, blanched almond inside the rice porridge or pudding. Whoever finds the almond will have good luck, and often gets a prize (usually a small marzipan pig or chocolate), and the distinction of getting to open their presents first!
What is Risalamande made of? ›
Risalamande is a rice pudding with vanilla, almonds and whipped cream, and it's typically served together with warm cherry sauce. The word Risalamande comes from the French word Riz à l'amande, which directly translated means rice with almonds.
What is the origin of Risalamande? ›
Risalamande has been a beloved Christmas dessert in Denmark for decades. It is known from around year 1900, when the upper class began serving Risalamande with cherry sauce for Christmas instead of rice porridge.
What is black pudding in Danish? ›
Black pudding is an ancient tradition all over the world. In France they call it boudin noir, in USA (Louisiana) boudin rouge, morcilla in Spain, sanguinaccio dolce in Italy, black pudding in Great Britain and blodpudding in Norway and Denmark.
What is rice pudding called in America? ›
Although rice pudding is part of many cultures ranging from Latinamerica to Asia and everywhere in between, our recipe is inspired by the traditional South American version of Arroz con Leche — rice pudding, in English.
Christmas dinner is a serious affair. Traditionally, you will be sat at a table for a good few hours, eating a meal of roast pork and duck plus boiled potatoes, red cabbage and gravy. Risalamande is the big Christmas dessert, a rice pudding topped with cherry sauce where a whole almond will be hiding.
How do the Danish celebrate Christmas? ›
Danish Christmas is celebrated in the evening on December 24. Traditionally, that means eating an elaborate Christmas dinner in the evening, dancing around the Christmas tree and opening presents. There is a virtual shutdown in the country during this time.
Which is the greatest rice pudding in the world? ›
Answer: 1. the greatest rice pudding in the world is kheer. 2.it is the mixture of sweetened milk with a whole rice.
Can you eat rice pudding every day? ›
Rice pudding can be healthy when it has little sugar and is eaten moderately. You can have it once a month because it has sugar. But the rice powder used in the pudding is really healthy. Hope this helps!
Which rice is better for rice pudding? ›
Rice - I've tried all sorts of rice types and uncooked medium grain is by far the best for rice pudding, followed by risotto rice. Risotto rice (arborio) - needs extra liquid, add 1 cup (250ml) water into the saucepan with milk, and cook for 1 hr 20 minutes.
What is the Danish Christmas tradition with almonds? ›
Risalamande is the big Christmas dessert, a rice pudding topped with cherry sauce where a whole almond will be hiding. The family member who finds the almond in their bowl gets a prize or extra present.
What types of gifts are given in Denmark? ›
What are the best gifts?
- Food. It's all about food at celebrations and parties. Bring food and they will love you. ...
- Alcohol. You know the Danes love to drink. ...
- Hyggelig things. Hygge is about a warm, cosy setting, with low lights, friends and a focus on the present moment together.
Just like other Danish Christmas traditions, the Danish Christmas food has not changed much over the years. Among the Danish favourites are æbleskiver, risalamande with cherry sauce, crispy Christmas duck, and caramelised potatoes. Below you will find carefully curated Christmas favourites from the Danish kitchen.
What is the special dessert they eat on Christmas Day in Denmark? ›
Risalamande - Danish Rice Pudding
Risalamande has been a beloved Christmas dessert in Denmark for decades. It is known from around year 1900, when the upper class began serving Risalamande with cherry sauce for Christmas instead of rice porridge.
