Coconut Rice Pudding With Berry Compote

Published: Aug 9, 2023

Coconut rice pudding – this easy, creamy, delicious vegan rice pudding is flavoured with coconut and cardamom, giving it a tropical twist.

Serve with berry compote for a hearty, nostalgic, comforting dessert; or you can even have it for breakfast!

Two glasses of vegan coconut rice pudding topped with berry compote.

Rice pudding is such a classic, nostalgic dessert, and one that happens to be very easy to make vegan. This coconut rice pudding is rich, creamy, coco-nutty and incredibly satisfying.

Served with a fruity berry compote it is a truly comforting, retro pudding that is great both hot and cold, and is even good for breakfast!

I make it on the stovetop, it is quicker than baked rice pudding, and avoids the dreaded rice pudding skin!

What Do I Need To make Coconut Rice pudding?:

Pudding rice: You need to use a short grained rice, ideally pudding rice but risotto rice will also work. Don’t use long grain, brown, basmati or paella rice.

Coconut milk: Tinned full fat coconut milk is best. You could use light, but the pudding won’t be as rich and creamy.

Sugar: I use caster or granulated sugar to preserve the white colour of the pudding, but any kind of sugar will work, including maple syrup. You can reduce the amount of sugar if you like, or just add it at the end of cooking to taste.

Cardamom: This is totally optional but I like to add a couple of split cardamom pods while the rice is cooking. You can omit them, or add cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and/or allspice.

Berries: Any kind you like, either fresh or frozen. I like to use a frozen blend of blackberries, cherries and blackcurrants.

A bowl of coconut rice pudding with a bowl of berry compote.

How To Make Coconut Rice Pudding:

(Full measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page)

Place the rice, coconut milk, water, sugar and cardamom pods (if using) in a deep saucepan.

Bring up to a gentle simmer then turn the heat down to low and cook for 35-40 minutes until the rice is soft and the liquid has reduced, stir often.

It might still be a bit runny at this stage, but it will thicken as it cools.

To make the compote, place the berries, sugar and water in a pan and cook until the berries have softened.

If it is too runny, add a little cornflour mixed with a splash of cold water and cook until thickened.

A bowl of coconut rice pudding topped with berry compote.

Top Tips:

The texture of the rice pudding will vary depending on the fat content of the coconut milk and the rice you use. If you prefer a very thick rice pudding you can omit the water, and if you find the pudding to be too thick, you can add more water or milk of your choice as needed.

The rice pudding will likely still be a bit runny when it is cooked, but it will thicken considerably as it cools.

You can add either whole or ground spices to taste (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice).

A dash of vanilla extract would work well, or why not try adding some finely grated orange zest.

Use a deeper pan than you think you need and keep an eye on the pudding as it cooks to ensure that it doesn’t boil over. Once it has come up to a simmer turn the heat down very low, it should be barely simmering.

Stir the pudding often while it is cooking to stop it from catching.

It would also be great topped with mango or pineapple instead of the berry compote

Try adding some rum soaked raisins or sultanas for a grown-up twist.

Can You Make rice Pudding In Advance?:

Yes! You can prepare this recipe ahead of time and then reheat it in a pot on the stovetop when you are ready to serve it. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze It?:

Yes, allow the coconut rice pudding to cool then place it in a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat to serve, adding a little extra milk as needed.

More Vegan Pudding Recipes:

Close up of a bowl of coconut rice pudding.

If you tried this recipe let me know how it went! Rate it, leave a comment or tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and hashtag it #domesticgothess

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5 from 1 vote