Indulge in a classic and comforting dessert with this creamy rice pudding recipe. This dish is made with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, and it will surely become a family favorite. Whether you enjoy it warm with butter, milk, and brown sugar or cold with the flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites.
I love this pudding! I would much rather have a big bowl of this than a piece of cake or a bowl of ice cream. If you are in the same boat as I, you must make this recipe. You will be thrilled with the flavor and texture of this easy recipe. Preparing it in your kitchen gives you peace of mind about the ingredients and lets you enjoy it both warm and cold.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Rice: Medium-grain or short-grain white rice. Do not rinse the rice.
- Milk: Preferably whole milk for a creamy finish.
- Butter: If using salted butter, eliminate the added salt.
- Vanilla extract: Use the pure stuff, please. It makes a big difference.
How To Make Rice Pudding
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Cook the rice.
- Add the milk and cook over medium-low heat until thick and creamy.
- Temper the egg, whisk it, and add it to the rice mixture with the granulated sugar.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the butter and the vanilla extract.
Preparation Tips
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, so it does not burn to the bottom of the pot.
- Ensure you temper the egg so you do not end up with curdled or scrambled eggs.
- Add the ingredients in the order written in the final steps.
- If the pudding becomes too thick for your liking, add a couple of tablespoons of milk at a time until it reaches the desired thickness.
Always Temper the Egg for Rice Pudding
You don’t want to add an egg to a hot mixture without tempering it unless you are after that kind of effect, like in egg drop soup. But in this case, we want the egg to fully incorporate into the mixture, like in a pudding or a custard.
In a separate bowl, beat your egg. Now add 1-2 tablespoons of the hot liquid, whisking constantly. Once whisked in, repeat, thoroughly whisking after each addition. If the bowl is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, you will probably begin to feel it warm. Once warm, slowly whisk into the pot. This process will prevent it from curdling and help make a smooth finish.
Customize It
- cinnamon and nutmeg
- raisins or dried cranberries
- chocolate chips
- whipped cream
- chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans
- honey or brown sugar
- butter
More Pudding Recipes
Creamy Rice Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup medium grain white rice
- 1½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In large saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and salt; bring back to a boil. Turn to simmer, cover with tight fitting lid, and cook 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed.
- Increase heat to medium low, add milk and cook until thick and creamy stirring constantly; approximately 15-20 minutes.
- In small bowl whisk egg. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the hot liquid to the egg; whisking constantly. Once whisked in, repeat again adding 1-2 tablespoons of the hot liquid to the egg; whisking constantly. Repeat if necessary thoroughly whisking after each addition until the egg mixture has warmed.
- Slowly whisk the egg mixture and sugar into the rice/milk mixture. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Neely
My husband LOVES this rice pudding! He always wants me to make it for him.
pooja
I love this rice pudding and so does my son. We made it this time with medium grain rice and it turned out pretty darn good.
Jennifer Prince
Interesting! I always thought rice pudding was gross, but now that I’m an adult, I think I may try it. I felt the same way about beets, but now they’re my favorite food!
brianne
Oh, my family really sang me praises when I made this rice pudding successfully. It was delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Stephanie
I didn’t realize rice pudding could be made fairly easily at home! It’s such a great dessert and I love being able to make it from scratch.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! So glad that you liked it! I love rice pudding too!
Zeo Phillpotts
I am a super-huge fan of rice pudding, from the time my mum used to make it from dinner leftovers. I do not use eggs, but do enjoy making it with evaporated milk, brown sugar and/or a little caramel sauce. I also use nutmeg. Be sure to cook the rice very thoroughly before adding the milk.
Love your posts and recipes!
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Glad that you like my recipes.
Karin bylund
I’m going to try this rice pudding
Tomorrow I’m sure my boys will love it, we like the Mexican rice pudding and buy it a lot
I still cook all of my food fresh, I thought I’m going to make rice pudding and found this recipe and everyone says it easy
I’ll let you know tomorrow if they liked it, we eat it cold. Thank you
Karin
Beth Pierce
Thanks Karin! I hope you enjoy the rice pudding! It is delicious!
Clare
This was so easy and so delicious. I am not a cook. I can’t follow the simplistic of recipes, but I followed this and it turned out great. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Clare! So glad that you liked it! I love that recipe!
Linda Z
I made this recipe from leftover white rice from our Chinese food take-out. It’s a delicious and creamy 5-star recipe! I added 1 tsp ground cinnamon. So delicious…thank you.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Linda! So glad that you liked it!!
Thunderkitty
I love golden raisins in mine so I added a cup of those (and a cinnamon stick) during the stirring time so they would get nice and plumpy. This recipe is soooo goood!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it! I love raisins in mine too. So yummy!!