Christmas and confections go hand in hand! Warm and well-spiced, sweet, sticky and satisfying, Christmas desserts are one of the season’s most tempting lures. But not every sweet-toothed reveler craves gingerbread and sugar plums. This year, don’t let tradition dictate a menu of dull squares and dense fruitcakes. Instead, branch out with modern desserts guaranteed to wow.
Recipes that move tradition into a new age, these riffs on classics will please everyone in the room—from grandma to your vegetarian bestie. Made with premium RiceSelect® grains, they make it easy to embrace the luxury of the holidays—all without breaking a sweat! Desserts that rely on pantry staples, like Arborio and Jasmati, these dishes don’t require baking expertise or an arsenal of tools and appliances to get right. They’re simply glorious finales you’ll want to indulge in all season long.
Whether you need a treat for gifting, for nibbling by the fire, or for capping off an epic celebration, there’s a RiceSelect® dessert sure to fit in with your holiday plans. Cook these up today and, by the time Christmas rolls around, you’ll be a grain-based dessert pro, poised to impress at a moment’s notice.
Festive Rice Nog Pudding
There’s no denying that eggnog is a must-have on every holiday table. This year, try it in a lush dessert, not just in your glass!
A crowd-pleaser that comes together in a mere 15 minutes, this recipe marries your favorite brand of eggnog with tender RiceSelect® Texmati White Rice, evaporated milk and a generous dose of cinnamon and vanilla.
Portioned into Mason jars, this dessert makes a delectable homemade gift.
Creamy Cinnamon Horchata Popsicles
Popsicles for Christmas? Absolutely! Creamy and cool, these horchata-flavored treats bring the season’s frosty feel right to your table.
Be sure to prep these vegetarian sweets ahead of time, as the RiceSelect® Basmati Rice needs time to soak and tenderize, and the popsicles need a minimum of 6 hours to fully freeze.
Cinnamon Coconut Toastie Rice Pudding Cups
Velvety and rich, this tropical riff on rice pudding is just the thing to bring tired tastebuds back to life!
Though we’ve marked the garnishes as “optional,” for a dish that’s as extravagant as the season, you’ll want to add dollops of cream, a dusting of cinnamon sugar and a flurry of cinnamon cereal to every single serving.
Danish Rice Pudding Risalamande
This year, introduce family and friends to a new tradition with this recipe for classic Danish risalamande. Enhanced with silky, sweetened whipped cream, this festive rice pudding boasts the flavors of almond, vanilla and raspberries.
As they do in Denmark, hide a single whole almond in the mix, and gift the person who finds it a special surprise!
Cinnamon Rice Fritters
Warm, tender and sugar-coated, these delectable bites just might usurp cookies as one of the best Christmas desserts!
A recipe that turns RiceSelect® Jasmati Rice into a lightly sweetened fried bite flavored with cinnamon and orange, this is likely to become a year-round go-to.
Butterscotch Rice Pudding
A pared-down number of ingredients—including butter and brown sugar, milk and RiceSelect® Jasmati Rice—transform into a seasonal showstopper in this warming winter recipe.
Asking if this dish needs a fluffy crown of torched meringue is like asking if your tree needs to be topped with a star. Of course it does!
Crème Brûlée Rice Pudding
Your best bet for dinner parties and upscale soirées, this is the ultimate individual dessert.
A chichi option that combines creamy, vanilla-scented pudding with aromatic RiceSelect® Jasmati Rice and a sugary, caramelized crust, this one is also a make-ahead marvel.
Sticky Rice with Caramelized Bananas
Take your holiday table to the tropics, with this sticky, sweet, spiced delight! A dish you can whip up as a helpful elf clears the dishes, this one turns a number of simple ingredients into the warm, memorable flavors of the season.
So, you want to impress the adults in the room by flambéing their bananas with a little rum? Far be it from us to stop you.
Toasted Pecan Rice Cream
Move RiceSelect® Sushi Rice from the main course to the dessert spread, with this velvety, custard-based ice cream.
With its simple list of ingredients and straightforward process, this is for anyone looking for easy Christmas desserts to try. Plus, if you don’t already own an ice cream maker, there’s still time to add one to your wish list.
Amaretto Rice Cheesecake
Upgrade your usual holiday menu with this amaretto-spiked cheesecake loaded with delicate RiceSelect® Texmati White Rice.
A dish that combines American traditions with elements of Italian ricotta pie (which is made with cooked wheat berries), this decadent dessert will be the centerpiece of any festive gathering.