Chai Masala Spiced Rice Pudding
Creamy rice pudding infused with chai masala spices—cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger—topped with pistachios and a drizzle of honey.
This rice pudding takes the beloved Indian kheer and gives it a chai masala twist. Simmering the rice in milk with whole spices—a cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom pods, a slice of ginger, and a couple of cloves—infuses every spoonful with warmth.
The slow cooking is non-negotiable. Stirring the rice as it absorbs the spiced milk creates a luxuriously creamy texture that no shortcut can replicate. Patience turns ordinary rice into velvet.
Sweetened with condensed milk and a touch of honey, the pudding hits that perfect spot between indulgent and comforting. The spices keep it from being cloyingly sweet, adding a gentle heat that lingers pleasantly.
Serve warm or chilled, topped with crushed pistachios and a drizzle of honey. A pinch of saffron threads stirred in at the end adds a golden hue and an extra layer of luxury.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup basmati rice, rinsed
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1/3 cup condensed milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp crushed pistachios
- Pinch of saffron threads (optional)
How to make it
- 1Combine rice, milk, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and ginger in a heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- 2Cook, stirring frequently, for 35–40 minutes until the rice is soft and the mixture has thickened considerably.
- 3Remove the whole spices (cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, ginger). Stir in condensed milk and honey.
- 4If using saffron, stir in the threads now and let them bloom in the warm pudding for 2 minutes.
- 5Serve warm or refrigerate until chilled. Top each serving with crushed pistachios and an extra drizzle of honey.
Want to learn more about Chai Masala? Visit its full profile.
Back to Chai MasalaYou might also like
What to Eat with Chai Masala
Chai masala's bold spices—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper—demand equally bold pairings, from buttery pastries to savory Indian snacks.
Chai Masala Spiced Chicken with Yogurt Sauce
Chicken thighs marinated in chai masala spices and roasted until caramelized, served with a cool minty yogurt sauce.