Budino di Riso (Tuscan Rice Pudding Tart)

Budino di riso brings together two familiar dessert textures in a distinctly Tuscan form: creamy, citrus-scented rice pudding and a tender shortcrust pastry shell. Arborio rice gives the filling its soft, rounded texture as it absorbs sweetened milk flavoured with lemon, orange zest, vanilla and a little cinnamon. Eggs help the pudding set gently in the oven, leaving a sliceable tart with a slight wobble at the centre and a lightly golden top. It is the kind of dessert that works well served cool or at room temperature, with enough richness to feel satisfying but a clean citrus note that keeps it delicate.
Cuisine style Tuscan bakery dessert
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Make-ahead friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Creamy rice filling: Arborio rice releases starch as it simmers in milk, giving the tart a soft, pudding-like centre once baked.
  • Clean citrus balance: Lemon and orange zest cut through the sweetness and richness, keeping the filling fragrant rather than heavy.
  • Classic pastry contrast: Baking the rice pudding inside shortcrust pastry creates the recognisable contrast of tender crust and softly set filling.

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Timing notes

  • Cool before adding eggs: Let the rice mixture cool until just warm before whisking in the eggs; this helps keep the filling smooth and prevents scrambling.
  • Best for slicing: The tart slices most neatly once it has cooled to room temperature, as the rice custard has time to fully set.

Ingredient notes

  • Use risotto rice: Arborio is a good choice because it becomes tender while thickening the milk; long-grain rice will give a looser, less creamy result.
  • Citrus character: Lemon gives a brighter finish, while orange makes the filling softer and rounder in flavour.

Authenticity notes

  • Tuscan pastry style: Budino di riso is closely associated with Tuscan bakeries, often made as small rice-custard tartlets; this version keeps the same flavour and texture in a larger tart.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the rice catch: Stir often as the milk thickens, especially near the end of cooking, to stop the rice sticking to the base of the pan.
  • Baking until fully firm: Remove the tart when the centre still has a slight wobble; it will continue to set as it cools.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Pastry

Rice pudding filling

Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 180°C (355°F). Roll out the shortcrust pastry and line a 23 cm tart tin, pressing it neatly into the corners. Chill the lined tin while you make the filling.
  2. Put the whole milk and caster sugar in a saucepan. Finely zest the lemon into the pan, then add the dried orange zest and vanilla extract. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Stir in the arborio rice and reduce the heat to low so the milk barely bubbles. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until the rice is tender and the mixture is thick and creamy. Take off the heat.
  4. Tip the rice pudding into a mixing bowl and leave to cool until just warm, so it will not scramble the eggs. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin forming. This cooling step is important for a smooth filling.
  5. Beat the eggs, then whisk them into the warm rice mixture until fully combined. Whisk in the ground cinnamon. The filling should look glossy and spoonable.
  6. Pour the filling into the chilled pastry case and level the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the tart is set with a slight wobble in the centre and the top is lightly golden. Cool in the tin for 15 minutes before slicing.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Stir the rice often as it cooks, especially towards the end, to stop it catching and to keep the texture creamy.
  • If the tart browns too quickly, loosely cover the top with foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.
  • For best slices, let the tart cool to room temperature so the filling fully sets before cutting.

Substitutions

  • Replace Lemon with Orange for a softer citrus note, keeping the dried orange zest as written.
  • Replace Vanilla extract with Vanilla bean paste for a more pronounced vanilla flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. Serve chilled or bring to room temperature; for a warm slice, reheat in a 160°C (320°F) oven for 10 to 12 minutes until warmed through.

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Budino di Riso (Tuscan Rice Pudding Tart)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 8 servings
  • Yield: tart (23 cm)
  • Total time: 1h 55min (40min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
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