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5 SECRETS TO GETTING DINNER ON THE TABLE...FAST!

You are here: Home / Recipes / Dessert / The BEST Rice Pudding

The BEST Rice Pudding

August 28, 2021

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two image collage showing spoonful of rice pudding and small white cast iron pot filled with rice pudding. center color block with text overlay.

This classic, comforting, creamy Rice Pudding recipe is made with just 5 ingredients right on your stovetop. A delightful, easy dessert flavored with vanilla and cinnamon that’s perfect for holidays and cozy nights by the fire.

Love pudding recipes? Make sure to try my Banana Pudding and Butterscotch Pudding!

rice pudding served in 2 small white cast iron pots with cinnamon sticks resting on the rim. title overlay at top of image.

There is something so nostalgic about rice pudding. Something truly magical in it’s creamy simplicity that really is heartwarming as well as tummy warming. Perfectly sweet and made with a simple list of ingredients that call for pantry staples, it’s one of those desserts that are delightful to have simmering away on the stove in the fall and winter.

It’s simple enough to be pulled together at the last second and is a comforting dessert after any meal. I call it dessert, my boys call leftovers breakfast so, really, it’s your call.

spoonful of creamy rice pudding.

Easy Rice Pudding

I’ve seen a lot of recipes for rice pudding that call for eggs which, of course, means you have to temper them. Not a fan. I’ve tried several methods and the one I’m sharing with you today is my hands down favorite for several reasons.

No eggs, no tempering. This recipe is super simple with a short list of ingredients. The best part is that we are going to let the natural starch in the rice create the creamiest rice pudding imaginable without using eggs. Which means, of course, no tempering!

Cooked with cinnamon. I like to add a cinnamon stick right at the beginning and as the rice cooks, it absorbs some of that delicious cinnamon flavor. It’s incredible! So much better than just stirring in cinnamon at the end.

Vanilla options. In this recipe, I really like to use vanilla bean paste because it’s so beautiful and fragrant and the flavor has a lovely intensity. You can absolutely use vanilla extract instead.

For maximum vanilla flavor, split half of a vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds. Add it to the mixture when you add the cinnamon stick. Make sure to throw in the pod as well!

spoonful of rice pudding held up over the white pot it is being served from with freshly grated cinnamon stick on top.

Rice Pudding Recipe: With Raisins vs Without Raisins

There are two camps when it comes to rice pudding: raisins or no raisins. I’m a raisins girl through and through but I’ve got two in my household that can’t handle them. What to do? Simple enough. When the pudding is done, scoop out half for those that like their pudding without raisins and then stir raisins into the remaining rice pudding. I like golden raisins for this recipe.

I like to put my pudding into little ramekins or small containers for serving. That way if I need to, I can refrigerate and serve chilled, or serve warm. We definitely prefer it warm though!

More Easy Desserts To Try

We love easy desserts like this easy rice pudding recipe. Here are more of our favorite go-to desserts:

  1. Blueberry Cobbler
  2. No Bake Cookies
  3. Chocolate Pound Cake
  4. Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  5. Key Lime Pie

Ingredients Needed

Just 5 ingredients in this easy homemade rice pudding recipe! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

  • whole milk – this provides the richness needed to make this pudding extra creamy.
  • granulated sugar – you can use a little less or a little more than I do if you like your pudding more or less sweet. Also delicious with a little brown sugar.
  • cinnamon stick – 3 or 4 inches long will do the trick. I also like to use a second cinnamon stick to grate over the top of the rice pudding just prior to serving. You can use ground cinnamon if you prefer.
  • Arborio rice – this is the same rice you would use to make a risotto or look for Boomba rice that is used in paellas. Both are short grain rice. You do not want to use long grain rice in this recipe because it does not have enough starch.
  • vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract – adds a lovely flavor to this pudding recipe. For maximum vanilla flavor, split half of a vanilla bean pod and scrape out the seeds. Add it to the mixture when you add the cinnamon stick. Make sure to throw in the pod as well!
  • raisins – optional and controversial. I love golden raisins in mine but regular raisins will work too.
spoonful of rice pudding held up over the white pot it is being served from with freshly grated cinnamon stick on top.

How To Make Rice Pudding

This is a great dessert to have cooking on a back burner while you’re getting the rest of dinner going. Let’s see how easy this is to make:

  1. Combine the milk, water, sugar, cinnamon stick and rice. Stir to combine.
  2. Bring to an intense simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer, stirring often, cook until the rice is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and remove the cinnamon stick.
  4. Stir in the vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and raisins, if using.
  5. Transfer the rice pudding into individual ramekins or small containers OR a large serving dish.
  6. Cool the pudding cool slightly before serving or let cool to room temperature, cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 day in advance.
  7. Just before serving, top with freshly grated cinnamon or ground cinnamon. Pudding can be enjoyed warm or cooled.
four image collage showing how to make rice pudding on the stove top.  shows rice being simmered in milk with cinnamon stick and vanilla bean paste being added at the end.

Rice Pudding FAQs

Can this be made in advance? Rice pudding is really best served warm or cooled the day it’s made but it can absolutely be made up to 1 day in advance. Serve chilled or warm pudding gently on the stove top or microwave. You may need to add some more milk to loosen the pudding as it will have likely absorbed all available liquid.

How should rice pudding be stored? The pudding should be cooled completely and then stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Can rice pudding be frozen? Yes, it can, for up to 3 months, but you might notice a change in texture. Let defrost in refrigerator overnight.

Variations To Try

rice pudding served in 2 small white cast iron pots with cinnamon sticks resting on the rim.

More Pudding Recipes

  1. Chocolate Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce
  2. The BEST Banana Pudding
  3. Homemade Butterscotch Pudding
  4. S’mores Pudding Parfaits
  5. No Bake Banana Cream Pudding Cheesecake
  6. Easy Banana Pudding Pie

How To Make Rice Pudding

spoonful of rice pudding held up over the white pot it is being served from with freshly grated cinnamon stick on top.
Print Pin
5 from 74 votes

Rice Pudding

This classic, comforting, creamy Rice Pudding recipe is made with just 5 ingredients right on your stovetop. A delightful, easy dessert flavored with vanilla and cinnamon that’s perfect for holidays and cozy nights by the fire.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword rice pudding, rice pudding recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 250kcal
Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • 4½ cups whole milk
  • 1½ cups water
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick 3 or 4 inches long
  • 1 cup Arborio rice or look for Boomba rice that is used in paellas
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup golden raisins optional

Garnish

  • 1 cinnamon stick grated or ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottomed, 3 quart sauce pan, combine the milk, water, sugar, cinnamon stick and rice. Stir to combine.
    4½ cups whole milk, 1½ cups water, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 cup Arborio rice
  • Bring to an intense simmer (just below boiling) over medium high heat, stirring often. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer and continue cooking, stirring often until the rice is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes. Some liquid will remain. The mixture should have the consistency of a thin oatmeal but will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Remove from heat and remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract and raisins, if using.
    1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, ⅔ cup golden raisins
  • Spoon the rice pudding into individual ramekins or small containers OR transfer to a large serving dish. Let the pudding cool slightly before serving or let cool to room temperature, cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 day in advance.
  • Just before serving, top with freshly grated cinnamon or ground cinnamon. Pudding can be enjoyed warm or cooled.
    1 cinnamon stick

Video

Notes

For maximum vanilla flavor, split half of a vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds. Add it to the mixture when you add the cinnamon stick. Make sure to throw in the pod as well!

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 1mg
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5 SECRETS TO GETTING DINNER ON THE TABLE...FAST!

enjoy!

By Trish - Mom On Timeout August 28, 2021 5 Ingredients or Less, Christmas, Christmas Recipes, Dessert, Fall, Holiday Recipes, No Bake, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Recipes

Previous article:
« Easy Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce
Next article:
Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread »

Comments

  1. Lori says

    November 7, 2022 at 5:47 AM

    Delicious and easy! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Kelli says

    October 29, 2022 at 7:55 AM

    Lovely recipe
    Cans out great .. thank you

    Reply
  3. Sandra says

    July 6, 2022 at 9:11 PM

    Can you use something besides cinnamon? Like maybe nutmeg? My husband does not like cinnamon but loves rice pudding. Any ideas would be appreciated!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      July 13, 2022 at 11:16 AM

      Nutmeg would be delicious but I wouldn’t add as much as I did with the cinnamon, it can be overpowering.

      Reply
  4. Joan says

    October 1, 2021 at 4:45 PM

    Omg so creamy and delicious. Best of all sooooo easy to make first time I’ve been successful at rice pudding the secret is definitely the arborio rice.

    Reply
  5. BETTY W RHODES says

    September 10, 2021 at 9:40 AM

    I MADE THE RICE PUDDING RECIPE ABOVE AND IT STILL HAS ALOT OF LIQUID…WHAT SHOULD I HAVE DONE SO IT IS NOT SO SOUPY WITH LIQUID….FOLLOWED RECIPE ALSO FLAVOR WAS AWES0ME JUST TOO MUCH LIQUID…

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      September 16, 2021 at 10:22 AM

      Sounds like it needed to have cooked a little longer.

      Reply
  6. Lucy wambsgan says

    September 3, 2021 at 11:51 PM

    Wow, loved these. Real simple.

    Reply
  7. Sharon says

    September 2, 2021 at 6:51 PM

    Amazing recipe and video combination. Thank you! I was raised on rice pudding, what a wonderful memory indeed.

    Can this recipe be prepared in a crock pot? or instant pot? Just curious. Thank you for your reply!

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      September 16, 2021 at 10:22 AM

      Gosh, I’m sure that it could be somehow but I haven’t tried. Adding it to my list of recipes to test though, thank you!

      Reply
  8. Patricia says

    September 1, 2021 at 12:50 PM

    Just made a halved recipe with what I had on hand. Turned out well but find it overly sweet. Will reduce to 1/4 cup sugar next time, because there will be a next time! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    September 1, 2021 at 6:06 AM

    This recipe reminds me of what my “great grandmother” used to make, for our breakfast! (back in the 50’s)…It’s so delicious
    and comforting. Thank you so much for this recipe.! Takes me back in time…😊😋🥰

    Reply
  10. Paula says

    August 31, 2021 at 6:05 PM

    Tip: Plump the raisins before adding – place raisins in a small bowl and pour enough HOT water to cover. Let sit for about 5 minutes until until softened, then drain and let cool on a paper towel. This will enhance their flavor.
    I always do this when baking. You can taste the difference.

    Reply
  11. Arthur in the Garden! says

    August 29, 2021 at 1:13 PM

    This was easy to make and the flavors were perfect!

    Reply
  12. Karenchute says

    August 28, 2021 at 4:13 PM

    Can you use a almond milk instead of whole milk

    Reply
    • Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      September 16, 2021 at 10:24 AM

      I haven’t tried so I can’t say for sure. It would be worth a shot though I think!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Trish!

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