This creamy Rice Pudding is flavored with cinnamon and vanilla and made on the stovetop. A classic recipe with a few twists!
Say hello to winter comfort food: the creamiest, most delicious Rice Pudding! If you’re looking to live your best life you’re going to make and eat this as soon as possible. Even people who *think* they don’t like rice pudding, love this recipe!
This recipe was heavily adapted from my grandma’s rice pudding recipe. I made a couple of small tweaks to make it extra creamy. This recipe is incredibly easy, made in one pot, and it can be adapted to suit your tastes.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ease: Everything simmers on the stovetop, and aside from stirring it’s mostly hands-off time.
- One-pot: No need to dirty a bunch of dishes; this rice pudding comes together in one pot.
- Basic ingredients: Milk, rice, sugar, butter, and flavorings.
- Texture: Super creamy with just a hint of chewiness from the rice.
- Flavor: This rice pudding is flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. You can also add raisins or another dried fruit.
- Versatility: This rice pudding can be served warm or chilled. It can be served as-is or topped with ice cream, fruit compote, or whipped cream.
Recipe tips
Use white rice: Long grain or short grain uncooked white rice is best for this recipe.
Simmer, don’t boil: A simmer is cooking below the boiling point. There should be gentle bubbling in the pot, and your heat should be somewhere between low and medium.
Stir frequently: Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan when you stir so that the rice doesn’t stick.
Adjust consistency as desired: If you want your rice pudding on the thinner side you can thin it out with some extra milk or cream. If you like it thick you can allow it to cool and it will thicken quite a bit.
Toppings for rice pudding
You can absolutely serve this rice pudding on its own, but here are some topping ideas if you want to take it up a notch:
Cinnamon: Use a fine mesh sieve to dust the top with ground cinnamon.
Vanilla ice cream: This is my favorite way to enjoy rice pudding. I serve it warm and top it with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of cold ice cream and warm pudding, plus the extra richness of vanilla ice cream takes this over the top.
Whipped cream: Homemade whipped cream or store bought whipped cream both go great on this rice pudding.
Fruit: Add fresh fruit, dried fruit, or fruit compote to the topping. Try my Blueberry Sauce or Roasted Strawberries. For the cherry topping you see pictured above: thaw frozen cherries and combine with cherry jam.
Related recipes
Homemade Vanilla Pudding
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Banana Pudding
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate Mousse
Recipe
Creamy Rice Pudding
Ingredients
- 3½ cups milk, plus more, if needed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup uncooked white rice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup raisins, optional
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, butter, sugar, rice, salt, and cinnamon.
- Bring to a simmer and simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, for 30-40 minutes, until rice is tender. Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan when you stir it. If the mixture appears to dry out during cook time you can add a few splashes of milk. During the last few minutes of cook time, add the vanilla, raisins, and heavy cream and simmer for a couple more minutes. Serve warm or chill. The rice pudding will thicken up after chilling; you can stir in a splash of milk to thin it out again.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Grace
Why do you have eggs in them and rice pudding?
Allison
There are no eggs in this recipe.
Nameless
Great recipe!
I add about a whole cup of rice to it and if you melt the butter first then “toast” the rice mmmh! So good. Then add the milk and cinnamon and vanilla. Thanks for sharing!
Allison
Oh! Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Kelly
Not sure yet. At 38 minutes of simmering, I have a very soupy mixture. For the recipe to offer suggestions to remedy ingredients drying out, that does not appear to be an issue. This is my second rice pudding recipe I’ve tried, following directions explicitly, to end up with soup?!
Allison
What type of rice are you using? Is it precooked or rinsed? Also, as the rice pudding cools it will thicken significantly.
Michele Gradinscak
Do you use long or short grain rice and do you wash it first?
Allison
You can use either. I don’t rinse it first.
Lisa Marie
Horrible disappointment.
Allison
Can you elaborate? This recipe usually gets positive reviews. I’d like to know what went wrong. Thanks!
Janet
I make this frequently! I use 2 cups milk and 1 1/2 cups 5% cream.
I only add 1 tsp vanilla.
Allison
That’s great to hear. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Terri C
Excellent recipe.
Allison
Thank you!
Lexi
Amazing
Allison
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Shadia
Love this recipe. I’ve been using it for the last year or so. Easy and delicious. Comes out perfect every time.
Allison
That’s great to hear! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂