Risalamande is a traditional Danish dessert served during Christmas. It’s essentially a rich rice pudding mixed with whipped cream, chopped almonds, and vanilla, typically sweetened with sugar. This dessert is customarily topped with cherry sauce and served cold. The key feature of Risalamande is a whole almond hidden within the dessert. The person who finds the almond is traditionally awarded a small prize.
Background and History
The tradition of eating Risalamande dates back to the late 19th century in Denmark. Initially, rice pudding with almonds was considered a luxury due to the expense of rice and almonds. Over time, to make the dish more festive and extend its servings, whipped cream was added to the rice pudding, creating what is known today as Risalamande. This adaptation made it possible to serve a luxurious dessert to more people at a lower cost.
The inclusion of a whole almond in the dish is a playful tradition stemming from older European customs, adding an element of fun to the Christmas festivities by incorporating a small game into the dessert serving. The finder of the almond, who traditionally keeps the discovery secret until the dessert is finished, receives a mandelgave (almond gift), enhancing the communal experience of the meal.
Risalamande in Sweden and Norway
In Sweden, a similar tradition is observed with a dessert called “Ris à la Malta.” Unlike the Danish Risalamande, Ris à la Malta is often served with orange segments or in a simpler version without the cherry sauce.
It’s made from leftover rice pudding mixed with whipped cream, sugar, vanilla, and sometimes almonds. The Swedish version also embraces the tradition of hiding an almond in the dessert, with the finder expected to get married within the year, adding a unique twist to the festive season.
In Norway, the Christmas dessert closely related to Risalamande is called “Riskrem.” It’s a creamy rice pudding topped with red berry sauce, often served as part of the Christmas feast.
The tradition of hiding an almond in the dessert is also present here, with the finder awarded a marzipan pig, symbolizing good fortune. Riskrem, like its Danish counterpart, is a testament to the Nordic tradition of celebrating Christmas with simple, yet meaningful, culinary customs.