Classic Rice Pudding

39 Comments

SERVES: 8

SERVING SIZE: 1 cup

CHILL TIME: 2 Hr

COOK TIME: 20 Min

Rice pudding is one of those comfort foods that just soothes the soul; that's why it's a favorite all around the world! Our recipe for Classic Rice Pudding is a back-to-basics dessert that will thrill you with its light vanilla flavor and creamy taste. You won't want to miss having a taste of this internationally loved and totally easy pudding recipe!

What You'll Need

8 cups (1/2 gallon) milk
1 cup uncooked long- or whole-grain rice
3 egg yolks, beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

What to Do

In a large pot over medium heat, combine milk, rice, egg yolks, and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook 20 to 25 minutes or until thickened and the rice is tender, stirring frequently to keep the rice from sticking.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and allow to cool slightly. Spoon into a serving bowl or individual dessert dishes, and chill 2 to 3 hours. Serve or cover and keep chilled until ready to serve.

For a Finishing Touch!

Add a little extra wow” to this by topping each serving with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Man is this good!!

Looking for a new way to change up this old fashioned rice pudding recipe? Check out our collection of some of Our Best Rice Pudding Recipes or check out more favorites in our free eCookbook, The Proof is in the Pudding: 20 Amazing Bread Pudding Recipes, Rice Pudding Recipes, & More!
Plus, check out our fantastic collection of Pudding Mix Desserts!

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 8

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 303
Calories from Fat 61
Total Fat 6.8g 10 %
Saturated Fat 3.8g 19 %
Trans Fat 0.2g 0 %
Protein 11g 22 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 89mg 30 %
Sodium 118mg 5 %
Total Carbohydrates 50g 17 %
Dietary Fiber 0.4g 2 %
Sugars 31g 0 %

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bnbsmith25 7216467

Dec 21, 2020

Can i use maple syrup in place of sugar?

Test Kitchen Team

Dec 24, 2020

Hello! Test kitchen has not tried recipe with syrup in place of sugar, but believes it will work. Just use 1/2 cup syrup to start with, can always add more if desired sweeter. Plus, use 1 cup less milk. Hope this helps!

dday2147 9914364

Jul 19, 2019

I like raisins and cinnamon in mine. When should I add these

farmerzdtr

Mar 04, 2019

The ads on your website are really out of control. Every time I want to print a recipe, I have to wait until the bottom ad loads onto the photo and video of the recipe so I can "X" them out, or they will print over the photos in print mode! And even in print mode, there is no getting rid of the "Sign Up For Free Recipes" banner across the middle of the page!! PLEASE do something to make your recipes more print-friendly!!!

Sledge489

Feb 26, 2019

SUGGESTED CORRECTION TO RECIPE... In the video the directions say to bring to a boil and them simmer. The printed instructions however simply say to bring to a boil and cook 20-25 minutes. For a novice they might continue to boil this mixture for the 20-25 minutes and not like the outcome.

Test Kitchen Team

Feb 27, 2019

Hi there! Thanks so much for your feedback. We put "cook" in the recipe because we want to make sure they do continue to boil it, to ensure the rice is cooked well enough. Thanks again for the suggestion!

Catsitt

Oct 19, 2018

This classic rice pudding brings back so many wonderful childhood memories. My dad didnt cook much exact Christmas dinner once a year and the odd time he would make a rice pudding like this and I used to love when he would make it, it never failed and it always please. I will have to give this a go.

meg112009

Jan 26, 2018

With any pudding I make a Meringue topping with the egg whites. Always sooooo good that way.

KitchenKat

Feb 12, 2017

Forgot to mention that I added a generous tsp. vanilla, too. An idea I believe another person posted that I may try is Meringue topping! If using 3 egg yolks as directed, then 3 egg whites remain and a great idea may be to whip the whites up with a pinch of cream of tartar to top off pudding, put in oven a few mins. until meringue is done. Sounds good! Sorry I meant to put 5 stars in 1st post! Thanks again Mr. Food test kitchens

KitchenKat

Feb 12, 2017

Thanks Mr. Food for sharing a delicious 'old-fashioned' recipe for rice pudding! I tweaked recipe only a bit, I used 1 whole egg one egg white, tempered first before adding. It came out just fine this way. Added cinnamon atop pudding. Delish!

msdeb21

Feb 11, 2017

I love warm rice pudding with cinnamon on top! I can't wait to try this. We have a local restaurant that makes the best rice pudding, so I hope this can come close to that. It looks delicious.

futterer917 476795 0

Dec 23, 2016

I've been using this receipe for years,it's awesome

sryt50 3880203

Nov 14, 2015

is it really only 1 cup of rice. That does not seem like enough for 8 cups of milk.

Test Kitchen Team

Nov 16, 2015

Yes, you only need 1 cup of rice for this recipe. Be sure to use long grain cooking rice! Enjoy :)

britathrt 2083188

Aug 17, 2015

All it needed was a bunch of raisins and oooh it was soo GOOD!

Goodcookie

Jun 22, 2015

I love rice pudding and I have always wanted to make it so I might just make this one its a maybe but as good as it looks I might just make it in a couple of days mm

Thegullos 3747846

Apr 28, 2015

Can you use skim milk with this recipe to lighten it up? Please advise.

Test Kitchen Team

Apr 29, 2015

Yes, you can substitute with skim milk. :) Enjoy!

dwitmer283 9953088

Jan 26, 2015

MY MOM MADE THIS FOR US AS KIDS TO GIVE US A CHANGE FROM OATMEAL IN THE MORNING. IT WAS ALWAYS A GREAT TREAT FOR US

Goodcookie

Jan 26, 2015

I don't know why it wouldn't work with brown rice because that's all I use it's healthier for you as far as I am concerned I will trey it with brown rice and I will let you know how it turns out .. Thanks For Sharing 3 O) 3

theresapye

Aug 23, 2014

Does this recipe work with brown rice?

Test Kitchen Team

Aug 25, 2014

Hi Theresa! We do not recommend using brown rice in this recipe, since it has a longer cooking time than white rice.

missd

Aug 20, 2014

This is a great recipe....used 2 whole eggs beaten which was added the last five minutes after tempering...sprinkled top with cinnamon...very good!

barbaraconnellan 8 990262

Jan 27, 2014

Can you use almond milk or skim milk?

Test Kitchen Team

Jan 27, 2014

We would try with 2 percent or 1 percent milk. It might not thicken with skim milk. We aren't sure how it would work with almond milk so we can't recommend using that.

pbramm49 9124890

Sep 27, 2013

I just finished cooking this rice - almost 1 hr and still not completely thickened. I sure hope this comes out all right because I am cooking it for company tomorrow! I'm afraid it should have been 2 C of uncooked rice and not 1. Will let you know tomorrow! Polly

pbramm49 9124890

Sep 29, 2013

Just to let you know, the rice was yummy. There were only 4 of us but we ate it all! Thanks for the recipe. Polly

craddocka1 9490552

Aug 21, 2013

I put raisins in mine but I bake it.

auntym52 1624074

Aug 21, 2013

This is almost the same recipe that I make BUT I do not boil it. I cook the pudding on the stove for about 1 hour over med. low heat for a half batch--1/2 gal. of milk and 3/4 cup rice. I got the recipe from my sister when she had her restaurant. The full recipe is 1 gal. of milk, 2 cups rice, dash of salt, gob of butter, simmering on stove, for about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. You cool for a little while before adding the rest of ingredients. When done you temper 2 eggs, before adding, then 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and some cinnamon if desired. Serve warmed with whip cream or just plain cream as how a lot of the old timers ate it. Enjoy I make often.

Goodcookie

Jan 26, 2015

Thanks for the recipe I have been looking for a great recipe for rice pudding and thanks to you I have God Bless You Thanks For Sharing 3 O) 3

wileorchidnbusty 1 111510

Mar 26, 2013

I MADE THIS RECIPE ON PALM SUNDAY(3/24/2013) AND INSTEAD OF SUGAR, I USED SWEET& LOW AND THE FAMILY LOVED IT. REPLACED THE NUTMEG WITH A SPRINKLE OF CINNAMON .

Marlene73

Aug 23, 2012

Can Splenda be used instead of sugar?

Test Kitchen Team

Aug 23, 2012

Sure you can replace the sugar with Splenda. However, please be aware that we have not tried this substitution for this recipe in our Test Kitchen, so we can not guarantee the results. Thank you for your question and enjoy!

Foodie1946

Aug 22, 2012

Crunchy rice pudding? What did I do wrong? I've been cooking rice for nearly 40 years. Never did it come out crunchy. What did I do wrong?

cindisue1

Aug 22, 2012

this is the best i use a cup of sugar an 1 whole egg beaten and cinnamon on top i just cook mine on top stove and keep stirring until thick GREAT

gbenefield 2857179

Aug 22, 2012

Could this be done in the micro wave on the rice setting ? Also how about making a non sugar meringue and folding it in to make it a fluffy pudding.

nanaerm

Apr 12, 2012

This is my idea of a real rice pudding. I never bake it. I do make this in a double boiler which helps eliminate so much stirring and I add the eggs at the last three minutes , tempering them with a few spoonfuls of the milk mixture before adding them to the hot pudding. Wonderful memories of a favorite homespun dessert.

jkschmid 5867446

Feb 17, 2012

This is the way rice pudding was meant to be made. NOT baked. The only thing I do different is add raisins. Serve warm with cinnamon and sugar. YUM YUM

margebid 4693234

May 31, 2011

could this be baked in the oven?