Description
This amazing old fashioned rice pudding is a creamy, comforting dessert made with tender rice simmered in milk and sweetened with sugar. Enhanced with vanilla and cinnamon, and optionally studded with plump raisins, it’s a classic stovetop recipe perfect served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Liquid
- 3/4 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups whole milk, divided
Sweeteners and Flavorings
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring the rice and water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Add Milk and Sugar: Stir in 2 1/2 cups of the milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 15–20 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
- Temper the Eggs: In a small bowl, whisk the eggs with the remaining 1/2 cup milk. Slowly stir a few spoonfuls of the hot rice mixture into the egg mixture to temper it and prevent curdling.
- Combine and Thicken: Gradually stir the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan. Cook for another 2–3 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly, until the pudding thickens further — be careful not to boil.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. If using, add raisins and ground cinnamon. Serve warm or chilled as desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, substitute half-and-half or evaporated milk for regular milk.
- Omit raisins if you prefer, or swap with dried cranberries for a tart twist.
- Rice pudding thickens as it cools; add a splash of milk to loosen it when reheating.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
