Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding

Jun 27, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Vanilla: Paste Medium

Creamy vanilla bean rice pudding in a small ceramic bowl with a spoon, garnished as in the recipe

A rich and silky rice pudding made with cream-enriched milk and real vanilla bean, slow-cooked until tender and topped with a fragrant homemade vanilla cream sauce for enhanced vanilla intensity.

Prep 15 min

Cook 40 min

Cooling 5 min

Total 1 hr

Servings 6

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

¾ cup (150.0 g)medium-grain white rice
3.0 cups (720.0 ml)whole milk
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)heavy cream
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
2.0 tbsp (16.0 g)cornstarch
¼ cup (60.0 ml)whole milk, for vanilla cream sauce
2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)granulated sugar, for vanilla cream sauce
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)vanilla bean paste, for vanilla cream sauce

Make it at home

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Instructions

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well.
In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the rice, whole milk (3 cups), heavy cream, sugar (1/2 cup), salt, vanilla bean seeds and pod.
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring often to prevent sticking.
Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, about 35-40 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with the reserved 1/4 cup whole milk until smooth.
Remove vanilla bean pod from rice pudding; slowly stir cornstarch mixture into hot pudding and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until pudding thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in pure vanilla extract; let the pudding rest for 5 minutes to thicken further.
While pudding rests, prepare vanilla cream sauce: in a small saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup milk, 2 tbsp sugar, and vanilla bean paste over medium heat until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
Serve rice pudding warm or chilled with a drizzle of warm vanilla cream sauce on top.

Tips

Using a mix of whole milk and heavy cream enriches the pudding, giving it a silky texture.
Infuse vanilla flavor by using both vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract, plus a vanilla bean paste cream sauce for layered vanilla aroma.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make vanilla bean rice pudding?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, plus 5 minutes to rest. The recipe makes 6 servings.

How should I store vanilla bean rice pudding?

Store leftover pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring before serving.

Can I make vanilla bean rice pudding ahead?

Rice pudding and vanilla cream sauce can be made a day ahead and refrigerated separately, gently warm before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A rich and silky rice pudding made with cream-enriched milk and real vanilla bean, slow-cooked until tender and topped with a fragrant homemade vanilla cream sauce for enhanced vanilla intensity.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

401 Calories / serving

18.8g Fat

51.1g Carbs

6.9g Protein

29.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~2406 cal · 113g fat · 307g carbs · 41g protein · 176g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 401 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 76 min·4.4 mi·~8900 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 54 min·2.7 mi·~5400 steps
Moderate cycling 41 min·8.2 mi
Swimming laps 56 min
Jogging 39 min·3.3 mi·~6250 steps
Stair climbing 37 min·~3350 steps
Dancing 65 min
Bodyweight circuit training 41 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 93 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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