Dreamy Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding Recipe

Cozy Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding Recipe: Creamy Joy Awaits!

Check out the heartwarming world of pioneer woman’s rice pudding, a dessert that hugs your soul with creamy nostalgia.

Each spoonful carries whispers of grandmother’s kitchen and tender family memories.

Silky grains dance with delicate sweetness, transforming humble ingredients into pure comfort.

This classic treat elevates simple rice into a luxurious experience that melts hearts and sparks joy.

Velvety smooth textures promise a moment of pure culinary bliss, transcending ordinary desserts.

The delicate balance of flavors speaks to generations of home cooks who understand true comfort.

Let this pudding transport you to a world of delicious memories.

Everything Inside Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding

For Raisin Enhancement:
  • Raisins: Select plump, glossy raisins without any visible mold or discoloration.
  • Bourbon or Whiskey: Choose a smooth, high-quality spirit for optimal flavor infusion.
For Rice Pudding Base:
  • Rice, Water, Milk, Heavy Cream: Opt for long-grain white rice and fresh, full-fat dairy for rich, creamy texture.
  • Butter: Select unsalted, high-quality butter for smooth, clean flavor.
  • Salt: Use fine sea salt to balance and enhance overall taste.
For Caramel Pecan Topping and Final Enhancements:
  • Brown Sugar: Look for dark, moist brown sugar with deep caramel undertones.
  • Corn Syrup: Choose pure, light corn syrup for smooth, glossy sauce.
  • Pecans: Select fresh, crisp nuts with no rancid smell or bitter aftertaste.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pick full-fat version for luxurious, creamy consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for authentic, robust flavor.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Seek freshly ground spices for vibrant, aromatic notes.
  • Egg: Ensure fresh, room-temperature large egg for seamless incorporation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Gear to Make That Cozy Rice Pudding

  • Large Nonstick Saucepan: Perfect for cooking rice mixture evenly without sticking.
  • Small Saucepan: Ideal for creating caramel-pecan sauce with precise heat control.
  • Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients without scratching pan surfaces.
  • Measuring Cups: Essential for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps add precise amounts of spices and seasonings.
  • Cutting Board: Useful for chopping pecans safely.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for precise nut chopping.
  • Whisk: Helps beat eggs smoothly and blend ingredients.
  • Serving Bowls: Small dishes for presenting the delicious rice pudding.
  • Colander or Strainer: Useful for draining soaked raisins.

Rice Pudding: The Easy How-To

Rice Pudding: The Easy How-To
  • Supercharge Raisin Magic

Splash raisins with bourbon for an hour, transforming them into flavor-packed jewels that will elevate your dessert experience.

  • Launch Rice Foundation

Combine rice, water, milk, cream, butter, and salt in a nonstick pan, creating a luxurious base that promises creamy perfection.

  • Craft Silky Rice Canvas

Stir ingredients and bring to a rolling boil, then gently simmer covered for 20-25 minutes until rice becomes dreamily tender.

  • Unleash Caramel Wonderland

Melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a separate pan, introducing chopped pecans to create a heavenly sauce that will make taste buds dance.

  • Elevate Pudding Symphony

Swirl in sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then carefully fold in beaten egg and bourbon-soaked raisins, cooking until beautifully integrated.

  • Present Decadent Delight

Ladle warm pudding into delicate bowls, cascade caramel-pecan sauce over the top, and savor each spoonful of this luxurious dessert that promises pure comfort and joy.

Kitchen Notes & Sweet Variations for Rice Pudding

  • Boost Raisin Complexity: Experiment with different liquors like rum or brandy to infuse unique flavor profiles into your raisins before adding them to the pudding.
  • Customize Texture Perfection: Control the pudding's consistency by adjusting milk and cream ratios – less liquid creates a thicker dessert, while more produces a silkier, softer texture.
  • Explore Nutty Alternatives: Swap pecans with toasted almonds, walnuts, or macadamia nuts to create exciting flavor variations that complement the creamy rice base.
  • Elevate Spice Dimensions: Replace traditional cinnamon and nutmeg with cardamom, ginger, or star anise to transform the pudding's aromatic profile and surprise your taste buds with unexpected warmth.

How to Serve Rice Pudding with Style

  • Elevate with Bourbon-Soaked Raisins: Sprinkle the boozy, plump raisins over the creamy rice pudding for an unexpected burst of flavor that adds sophistication and depth to each spoonful.
  • Create a Decadent Caramel Drizzle: Pour the warm, nutty caramel-pecan sauce in elegant swirls across the top, letting it cascade down the sides of the pudding for a luxurious visual and taste experience.
  • Garnish with Cinnamon Dust: Lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon over the pudding to add a delicate warmth and aromatic touch that complements the rich, creamy base.
  • Pair with Sweet Accompaniments: Serve alongside a small glass of bourbon or a crisp dessert wine to enhance the pudding's complex flavors and create a truly indulgent dessert moment.

Keeping Rice Pudding Fresh or Planning Ahead

  • Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover rice pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and smooth texture.
  • Smart Reheating Strategy: Gently warm individual servings in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
  • Freeze for Future Comfort: Carefully package pudding in freezer-safe containers, keeping for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying your make-ahead dessert.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare caramel-pecan sauce separately and store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing quick assembly of this decadent dessert whenever cravings strike.
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Dreamy Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding Recipe

Dreamy Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Classic Rice Pudding from the Pioneer Woman combines creamy comfort with nostalgic sweetness. Rich milky dessert delivers pure homestyle satisfaction for classic dessert enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup medium-grain white rice
  • 2 cups milk (1%)
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup butter
  • 8 oz sweetened condensed milk (adjust if needed)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp salted butter
  • 1 whole egg, beaten
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup raisins (golden or regular)
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup bourbon or other whiskey (optional)
  • 1 tbsp bourbon or other whiskey (optional)
  • Dash ground cinnamon
  • Dash ground nutmeg
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Bourbon Raisin Preparation: Submerge raisins in bourbon, allowing them to plump and absorb rich, spirited essence for one hour.
  2. Rice Base Creation: In a nonstick saucepan, combine rice, water, whole milk, heavy cream, unsalted butter, and kosher salt, blending ingredients thoroughly.
  3. Initial Cooking Phase: Elevate heat to medium-high, bringing mixture to a robust boil while stirring periodically, then immediately reduce temperature to low, covering saucepan and allowing rice to simmer gently for 22-27 minutes until grains become supremely tender.
  4. Caramel-Pecan Sauce Development: Concurrently, melt butter in a separate pan, introducing dark brown sugar and light corn syrup, then fold in chopped pecans and optional whiskey, simmering for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Final Pudding Enhancement: After rice cooking completes, fold in sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg, returning pan to low heat for 4-5 minutes.
  6. Egg Integration: Carefully temper beaten egg by gradually introducing hot rice mixture, then incorporate egg and drained raisins, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
  7. Serving Presentation: Transfer warm, creamy rice pudding into individual bowls, lavishly drizzling with decadent caramel-pecan sauce, serving immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Bourbon Soak Tip: Let raisins marinate in bourbon for at least one hour to enhance their flavor and create a rich, boozy depth.
  • Liquid Ratio Warning: Stir frequently during initial boiling to prevent rice from sticking or burning at the bottom of the pan.
  • Egg Tempering Technique: Slowly introduce hot rice mixture to beaten egg to prevent scrambling, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Sauce Consistency Check: Cook caramel-pecan sauce until it reaches a slightly thickened state, which typically takes 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 40 g
  • Sodium: 170 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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