Pour whole milk over raw white rice, alongside 3 extra ingredients,

This slow cooker 5-ingredient rice pudding is the kind of quiet, comforting dessert many of us grew up with, just simplified for modern weeknights. You literally pour whole milk over raw white rice, add three pantry staples, and let the slow cooker do the work. Rice pudding has roots in many cuisines—from Latin American arroz con leche to British nursery puddings—and this version leans into that old-fashioned, Midwest potluck nostalgia: creamy, lightly sweet, and perfect warm or chilled.

Serve the rice pudding warm in small bowls with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top, or chill it in the refrigerator and serve it cold, where it thickens and becomes almost custard-like.

It pairs nicely with fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a spoonful of jam if you want a bit of brightness. For a more indulgent dessert, add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A cup of coffee or black tea alongside makes this feel like a cozy, end-of-day treat, but it’s also lovely as a simple brunch sweet next to eggs and toast.

Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Rice Pudding

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 cup raw medium- or long-grain white rice, rinsed

4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving (optional)

Directions