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Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding Recipe

4.5 from 97 reviews

This Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding is a creamy, comforting dessert made by slowly simmering long grain white rice in whole milk until thick and luscious. Sweetened with sugar and flavored with vanilla, it’s a classic treat perfect served chilled with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 6 cups whole milk (divided)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup long grain white rice (heaping half cup)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon (optional, for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients and Bring to Boil: In a large saucepan, pour 5 1/2 cups of whole milk, add sugar and salt, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add Rice and Simmer: Stir in the rice, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Adjust heat carefully to avoid burning or bubbling over.
  3. Cook Until Thickened: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook for 50 to 60 minutes until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency similar to yogurt.
  4. Remove from Heat and Add Flavor: Once the pudding has thickened, remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
  5. Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the rice pudding to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
  6. Finish and Serve: Before serving, stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of milk to loosen the pudding slightly, then sprinkle with ground cinnamon if desired for a warm, inviting touch.

Notes

  • Use whole milk for the creamiest texture; reduced-fat milks will yield a thinner consistency.
  • Stir the pudding occasionally during cooking to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan and burning.
  • If you prefer a thicker or thinner pudding, adjust the simmering time accordingly.
  • The rice type matters: long grain white rice works best for a less sticky pudding; short grain will be creamier but stickier.
  • Rice pudding can be served warm or chilled, depending on preference.

Keywords: rice pudding, old-fashioned dessert, creamy rice pudding, vanilla rice pudding, stovetop dessert, comforting dessert