Sütlaç is one of the most traditional desserts in Turkey. It is eaten across the whole country, both at home and in restaurants. It is a simple rice pudding made with milk and sugar. The texture is creamy and smooth. In many places, it is baked briefly in the oven so the top becomes lightly browned. It is usually served cold in small bowls, often with a little cinnamon on top.
😌 Difficulty: Easy
⏱️ Preparation time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cooking time: 35 minutes
⏳ Total time: 45 minutes
👥 Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 100 g short-grain rice
- 1 liter whole milk
- 120 g sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but common in home versions)
For serving:
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Place rice in a pot with 300 ml water. Cook over medium heat until the water is mostly absorbed and the rice is soft.
- Add milk and stir well. Bring gently to a simmer. Stir often to prevent sticking.
- Add sugar and continue cooking for about 15-20 minutes on low heat.
- In a small bowl, mix corn starch with water until smooth. Pour into the pudding while stirring.
- Cook for 5 more minutes until slightly thickened. The pudding should still be pourable.
- Pour into oven-safe bowls if you want the traditional baked top.
- Optional step: Place bowls in a baking tray filled halfway with hot water. Bake at 200°C for about 10 minutes until the tops brown slightly.
- Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.
SpinThatCuisine Tip 💡
Do not overcook the pudding. It thickens more as it cools. If it looks slightly loose while hot, that is correct.