Last Updated on March 17, 2026 by Chef Mireille
Appelsinris – Norwegian Rice Pudding creates a delicate balance of rich and luscious cream with refreshing citrus.
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Almost every country in the world has a version of rice pudding and I am a rice pudding fanatic and have been on a mission to try every country’s version of rice pudding. Some countries even have several versions of rice pudding and Norway is one of those countries.
Plain rice pudding which is pretty standard in most countries with just rice cooked with milk, sugar and usually cinnamon is known in Norway as Risengrynsgrot. Usually, leftover of this pudding is used to make Appelsinris, but I have created this version without having the reserved Risengrynsgrot.
Oranges are very common in Norway and it is one of their top imported products. It’s very common to take oranges on skiing trips and orange flavoring in breads and sweets is very common, especially during Easter.
In Norway, the appearance of oranges in every type of dessert signifies the switch of seasons when winter is just about over and it’s time for Easter. Every Easter cake or bread in Norway is flavored with orange. So I am presenting this orange flavored rice pudding to you just in time for Easter, adapted from Arctic Grub.
How to make Vanilla Sugar
Vanilla sugar is quite a common supermarket ingredient in Europe, but here it is not available unless you go to one of those specialty shops that sells flavored salts and sugars. I make my own by scraping out the insides of a vanilla bean, then chopping the bean into pieces. Combine in a food processor with 4 cups of sugar to grind the vanilla. Keep it in your pantry and you will find yourself adding it to all sorts of things. I put in my coffee and it’s great sprinkled on strawberries. You can also just use regular sugar in this recipe and add a little vanilla extract.
You can also skip the beginning of the recipe if you have leftover rice pudding. Just add the cream and orange and you’ve repurposed plain old rice pudding into something fantastic. This makes a great #glutenfree dessert.
…and if you’re as much a fan or rice pudding take a look at some of my others…
Rice Pudding Recipes
- Rijstpap – Belgian Rice Pudding
- Akkaravadisal – South Indian style Rice Pudding
- Kolkandu Pongal – Rock Sugar Rice Pudding from India
- Champorado – Chocolate Rice Pudding from the Phillipines
- Khao Neow Dum Sung Khaya – Black Rice Pudding Custard from Thailand
How to Make Norwegian Rice Pudding
This pudding is rich and creamy, but it is so well balanced with the citrus that it doesn’t feel heavy and rich. Instead it goes down like a light and fruity summer dessert.
It can be garnished with more pieces of orange and/or grated chocolate.
Appelsinris – Norwegian Orange Rice Pudding
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup short grain rice Arborio rice
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar
- 2 large oranges peeled and supremed
- Grated chocolate optional garnish
- Sliced almonds optional garnish
Instructions
- Combine rice, water and vanilla bean in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the water has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Add milk and raise heat to bring the milk up to temperature.
- Once the milk starts to simmer, lower the heat to low.
- Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, for about 20-25 minutes. It should be thick and creamy and the pudding should pull away from the pan when you run a spoon through it.
- Add sugar and stir to combine.
- Set it aside to chill.
- Meanwhile, make the whipped cream.
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream for a a few minutes, until it starts to thicken.
- Add the vanilla sugar. Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the whipped cream and most of the orange pieces, reserving a few to garnish the top.
- To serve, garnish with grated chocolate and/or almonds, as desired.
Nutrition
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Omg, pudding looks absolutely divine, what a creamy dish. Wish i get a bowl of this fantastic dessert.
thanks – it did taste heavenly
I made risengrynsgrot once and that is so delicious. One would hardly have any leftovers of that. If applelsinris is made with leftovers of risgrot, it must be heavenly.
any kind of rice pudding hardly gets leftovers for me 🙂
Wow Mir, that’s one awesome intro to pudding and especially about Norway!..I am sort of like to try rice pudding too and reading through your list, makes me want to try all of them..
Rice pudding is one of my all time fave desserts and still so many more versions to try
Seriously Mireille, I’m going to lose control over my no sugar resolution… the rice pudding looks too tempting and its so fluffy. With oranges it must be refreshing too.
Wait til you see what I’ve got planned for next month… I’m afraid you’re going to have a lot of will power ?
OMG! That looks so sinful. I am a die hard fan of rice pudding but cannot boast about having tried multiple varieties. I stick to the traditional ones I am used to. But I am very tempted to try this version. For a second, I thought you got your themes mixed up 🙂 I wish I could whip up something this sinful.
you should definitely step out of your comfort zone and try some others
It is so interesting to read about the humble rice pudding from different cuisines and cultures. Every cuisine has its own form of rice pudding and each and every single one is so unique in its own way. Love the garnishes on this one and the vanilla sugar should have been so flavorful in this rice pudding.
yes this one was definitely a delicious version I would have again
This is almost like the beangali kamlabur or orange kheer. It’s so nice to know the same dish exists in different cuisines. It must have tasted divine.
I’ve made that Bengali Kheer before it’s delicious but this one definitely tastes creamier
There is a program called ‘Boys weekend’ in Fox Life, this week they made a yumm black rice pudding from thailand and i was thinking about you all thru the program!!
this pudding must be bursting with citrus flavors, love your clicks Mir!! that spoon shot is too good, i can almost feel the texture of it!
yes – gladly admit to my rice pudding obsession here!
wow really, I did not know so many versions are available with rice pudding. Looking so delicious. With orange n chocolate flavor it must have tasted great. Loved it.
oh yes – it’s amazing how many different versions different countries have for rice pudding!
This rice pudding with heavy cream sounds interesting. The pics are so attractive that I want to grab that bowl and finish
thanks – yes it was suprisingly light despite being rich and decadent
Thats a flavourful Rice Pudding Mir. Love the Combo of ingredients and bookmarking.
yep orange and chocolate make an awesome combination
This rice pudding looks almost like ice cream with the orange and chocolate flavours. I love the way you have served it. It looks delicious.
I think orange and chocolate are a marriage made in heaven. Trust me – you will love this when you try it.