Baked Rice Pudding
A big, old-fashioned baked rice pudding with tender rice, creamy custard, warm vanilla, and a lightly golden top. It’s simple, comforting, and delicious served warm or chilled.
🍮 Recipe at a Glance
- Servings: 8
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Bake time: 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 30 minutes
- Total time: About 1½ hours
- Oven: 325°F (165°C)
- Dish: 9 × 13-inch baking dish
🛒 Ingredients
For the Rice Pudding
- 1 cup (200 g) uncooked white long-grain rice
- 6 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup raisins, optional
For the Top
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- A little extra nutmeg, optional
🔥 Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to:
325°F (165°C)
Butter a large 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
Set it aside.
🍚 Step 2: Prepare the Rice
Place the uncooked rice in a fine-mesh strainer.
Rinse it under cool water until the water runs mostly clear.
Drain well.
🥛 Step 3: Make the Custard Mixture
In a very large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- 6 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Whisk until smooth.
🍇 Step 4: Add the Rice
Stir the rinsed rice into the milk mixture.
If using raisins, stir in the ¾ cup raisins as well.
Pour everything into the prepared baking dish.
Spread the rice evenly across the bottom.
🍮 Step 5: Add the Cinnamon Topping
Combine:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Sprinkle evenly over the surface.
Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg if desired.
🔥 Step 6: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven.
Bake uncovered for approximately 45 minutes.
Remove the dish and gently stir the pudding, making sure the rice isn’t sticking to the bottom.
Return it to the oven.
Continue baking for another 30–45 minutes.
🥄 Step 7: Check for Doneness
The rice should be:
- Completely tender
- Surrounded by thick, creamy custard
- Lightly golden on top
The center should still have a slight jiggle.
Don’t wait until the pudding looks completely firm in the oven—it will continue setting as it cools.
⏰ Step 8: Rest
Remove the rice pudding from the oven.
Allow it to rest for approximately 15–20 minutes.
The custard will continue thickening while it rests.
🍽️ Step 9: Serve
Serve warm with:
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
- A drizzle of cream
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
- A little maple syrup
It’s also delicious completely chilled.
🍎 Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Add:
- 1 large apple, peeled and finely diced
- ½ teaspoon additional cinnamon
Stir the apple into the rice mixture before baking.
A little extra nutmeg makes this version taste like apple pie.
🍫 Chocolate Rice Pudding
Add:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Stir the cocoa into the milk mixture before adding the rice.
Fold in the chocolate chips just before baking.
🥥 Coconut Rice Pudding
Replace 2 cups of the milk with coconut milk.
Add:
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- A pinch of cinnamon
Top with toasted coconut before serving.
🍋 Lemon Raisin Rice Pudding
Add:
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- ¾ cup raisins
The lemon brightens the rich custard and works beautifully with the cinnamon.
🍯 Brown Sugar Rice Pudding
Replace the granulated sugar with:
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
This creates a deeper caramel-like flavor.
👩🍳 Tips for Perfect Baked Rice Pudding
Use whole milk
It produces a richer, creamier custard.
Don’t skip the stirring
Stirring once during baking helps distribute the rice and prevents it from forming a dense layer.
Don’t overbake
The pudding should still have a slight wobble in the center when you remove it from the oven.
Let it rest
The pudding thickens considerably as it cools.
Prefer softer pudding?
Add another ½ cup milk before baking.
🧊 Storage
Allow the pudding to cool, then cover and refrigerate.
It will keep for approximately 3–4 days.
The pudding becomes thicker when chilled.
🔥 Reheating
Place an individual portion in a bowl and microwave gently.
Add a splash of milk before reheating and stir afterward to restore some of the creamy texture.
❄️ Can You Freeze It?
Yes, although the custard can become slightly less silky after freezing.
For best results, freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 1 month.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of milk.
⭐ Final Result
You’ll have a rich, creamy baked rice pudding with tender grains of rice, sweet vanilla custard, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and a beautifully golden top.
It’s especially comforting served warm with a little extra cinnamon and cream
