Kozy Shack Rice Pudding Recipe

Store-bought rice pudding can never compare to the one you make at home, even if it’s Kozy Shack.

This is precisely why we’ve decided to try and make our own version of this famous rice pudding at home, and guess what? It turned out even creamier and more flavorful!

If you’re a fan of Kozy Shack rice pudding, we’re sure you’ll have this recipe bookmarked after the first time you try it.

It is packed with creamy, sweet, milky flavors, yet not too sweet, which makes it just the perfect rice dessert.

How to Make Kozy Shack Rice Pudding

While this recipe doesn’t require many ingredients and the process of making it is quite simple, it can be somewhat time-consuming.

To achieve that rice pudding creamy consistency, you will need to cook this pudding for an hour. However, we promise it is worth every single minute!

An important factor when making this rice pudding is stirring.

If you’re not stirring the mixture frequently, you will end up with a mushy, rubbery consistency since the rice will stick together.

Also, while it is recommended to rinse the rice beforehand when you’re making your seasoned rice or risotto, you should skip this step for this recipe.

The rice is commonly rinsed to get rid of the excess starch, but the starch is not the enemy when it comes to this Kozy Shack rice pudding recipe.

It’s actually the starchy component that provides that thick pudding consistency you want.

Without further ado, let’s get into all the ingredients, as well as the instructions for this rice pudding recipe.

Ingredients:

(8 servings)

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 qts whole milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Step 1:

Prepare a heavy-duty saucepan and add the whole milk, Arborio rice, and sugar.

Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients.

Step 2:

Once you’ve combined the milk, rice, and sugar, it is time to stir in the vanilla and butter.

Stir all the ingredients together, and place the saucepan over medium-high heat.

Once it has reached a boil, reduce the heat.

Step 3:

Let the rice pudding mixture simmer on low and remember to leave the saucepan uncovered.

It is necessary to stir the rice pudding every 10-15 minutes to prevent the rice from sticking together or burning.

Step 4:

Let the pudding cook on low for an hour, stirring it every 10-15 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the egg mixture by whisking two large eggs in a bowl.

After an hour of cooking, remove the saucepan from the heat, and add one cup of the pudding mixture to the egg mixture.

This process will temper the eggs, which will prevent the eggs from cooking inside the pudding, making the texture rubbery.

Step 5:

Once you’ve combined the eggs and one cup of the pudding mixture in a mixing bowl, slowly pour this mixture into the rice pudding, making sure to stir constantly.

Once all the ingredients are combined, add in the heavy cream, and give the pudding a good stir.

Step 6:

Transfer your homemade rice pudding to a ceramic baking dish, and then sprinkle some cinnamon on top for both aroma and garnish.

The hardest part is definitely waiting for the pudding to cool down and achieve the desired consistency for three hours, but we highly recommend not skipping this step!

Ingredient Substitutions

Will the results be the same even if you switch up some of the ingredients of this copycat Kozy Shack rice pudding recipe?

While we recommend sticking to the original ingredient list, here are some of the best substitutions.

1. Reduced fat milk

It is still possible to achieve the creamy, thick pudding consistency with reduced fat milk.

As we’ve mentioned, the secret behind the creaminess of this rice pudding is in the rice itself, so you don’t have to worry too much about the kind of milk you’ll be using.

Whole milk will, in fact, contribute to the overall consistency of the pudding while also adding that recognizable milky aroma.

However, the recipe will still work if you swap whole milk for reduced fat milk for a better nutrition profile.

2. Japanese short-grain rice

The best substitute for Arborio rice is certainly Japanese short-grain rice, which is often used in desserts, as well as rice pudding.

Both Arborio and Japanese short-grain rice have a very sticky texture, and they’re also not as dry as long-grain rice types such as jasmine and basmati.

As long as you stay in the short-grain category, you will achieve that unique Kozy Shack rice pudding creamy, smooth consistency.

3. Rum extract

In case the added cinnamon isn’t enough for you when it comes to achieving a dominant aroma in your rice pudding, replacing vanilla extract with rum extract (or combining the two) will certainly give you the desired result.

Rum extract is an excellent way to build up caramelized, toasty, nutty flavors without having to do the caramelization.

It is also a very easy yet effective method of creating a contrast of flavors in your milky, sweet rice pudding.

4. Vanilla sugar

If, on the other hand, you’d like to enhance the vanilla flavor and aroma, feel free to replace granulated white sugar with vanilla sugar.

Combined with vanilla extract, vanilla sugar will accentuate the warm, sweet, slightly fruity vanilla aroma in this rice pudding recipe.

What to Serve with Kozy Shack Rice Pudding

When it comes to a perfectly creamy, flavorful homemade dessert, this Kozy Shack rice pudding made from scratch doesn’t require any additional ingredients or toppings.

However, there’s nothing wrong with enhancing the flavors any way you see fit.

These are our top recommendations.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate is the best way to add a little bit of contrast to your dessert when it comes to both the color and the flavor.

If you find these milky, sweet flavors to be too simple for your taste, you can always add some grated or melted chocolate on top to add more depth and sharpness.

You can also use chocolate syrup, chocolate crumbs, or any kind of chocolate topping you prefer.

2. Fresh fruit

Simply cut up your favorite fruit, whether it be strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or apples, and arrange it on top of the rice pudding.

Then, sprinkle some more cinnamon on top to enhance the aroma.

Fresh fruit will add a refreshing, fruity, slightly acidic note that will brighten up this dessert.

3. Ice cream

Whether you serve it on top of the rice pudding or on the side, ice cream will create a beautiful contrast of flavors and textures.

You can choose any flavor you prefer, but vanilla ice cream is the safest choice when it comes to this flavor profile.

How to Store Kozy Shack Rice Pudding

In case you have some leftover rice pudding, you can safely store it either in the fridge or the freezer, depending on when you plan to enjoy it again.

In both cases, it is necessary to allow the pudding to cool down completely, as freezing or refrigerating warm pudding will completely alter its texture.

Since it is already recommended to let the rice pudding rest for three hours before serving it, it is completely okay to store the pudding after that cool-down period.

Store in the fridge

If you’re storing the rice pudding in the ceramic dish you originally served it in, all you need to do is cover it with a piece of plastic wrap, making sure there are no air pockets.

You can also transfer the desired amount of pudding into an airtight container and seal it with a lid.

Place the pudding in the fridge and make sure you use it up within 4-5 days.

Store in the freezer

If you plan on freezing the leftover rice pudding, it is necessary to transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container and make sure it is properly sealed with a lid.

Keep the pudding in the freezer for no more than three months.

You can also divide the leftover pudding into small batches, which you can freeze separately and take out whenever you’re craving homemade rice pudding.