Easy Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding Recipe: Sweet Comfort in a Bowl

Pioneer Woman’s rice pudding offers a nostalgic journey into comfort food’s warm embrace.

Sweet memories dance through every creamy spoonful of this classic dessert.

Traditional ingredients transform simple components into a luxurious treat that whispers of home kitchens and family gatherings.

Silky textures blend with subtle sweetness, creating a dessert that transcends ordinary expectations.

Rich and indulgent, this pudding represents more than just a recipe – it’s a culinary experience connecting generations.

Smooth, velvety, and deeply satisfying, the dessert promises a moment of pure contentment.

You’ll fall in love with its delicate balance of flavors and heartwarming simplicity: prepare to be delighted.

Why Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding Is the Ultimate Comfort Dessert

• Boozy Flavor Explosion: Soaking raisins in bourbon transforms ordinary ingredients into a complex, grown-up dessert that tingles your taste buds with unexpected depth and richness.
• Creamy Comfort Texture: The combination of heavy cream, milk, and sweetened condensed milk creates an ultra-smooth, luxurious pudding that feels like a warm culinary hug on a chilly evening.
• Decadent Topping Delight: The caramel-pecan sauce adds a crunchy, sweet dimension that elevates the classic rice pudding from simple dessert to restaurant-worthy indulgence, with layers of buttery, nutty flavors that complement the creamy base.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Satisfaction: This recipe requires basic cooking skills and standard kitchen ingredients, making it an approachable dessert that delivers impressive results without complicated techniques or expensive components.

What You Need for Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding

Main Ingredients:

• Long Grain White Rice: Classic rice variety perfect for creamy pudding texture.
• Water: Essential liquid for initial rice cooking process.
• Milk: Provides rich and smooth base for pudding.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky consistency.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Brings intense sweetness and creamy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic dessert flavor profile.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic spice element.
• Nutmeg: Offers subtle, complementary warm spice notes.

• Raisins: Chewy dried fruit adding texture and sweet bursts.
• Bourbon or Whiskey: Optional ingredient for enhanced raisin flavor and complexity.
• Butter: Creates smooth base for sauce and adds richness.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel sweetness to topping.
• Corn Syrup: Helps create smooth, glossy caramel sauce.
• Pecans: Adds crunchy texture and nutty flavor to topping.
• Egg: Helps bind and enrich pudding consistency.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding

Step 1: Boost Raisin Flavor

Soak raisins in bourbon or whiskey for at least 1 hour to enhance their taste and make them plump and juicy.

Step 2: Combine Base Ingredients

• Rice
• Water
• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Pinch of salt

Step 3: Start Cooking Rice Mixture

Stir all ingredients thoroughly and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Simmer Rice Gently

Reduce heat to low, cover saucepan, and let rice simmer for 20-25 minutes until tender and creamy.

Step 5: Create Caramel Pecan Topping

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup

Step 6: Finish Sauce With Nuts

Add chopped pecans and optional whiskey, bring to gentle boil, and cook 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7: Enhance Rice Pudding

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Return to heat for 4-5 minutes.

Step 8: Add Final Touches

Lower heat, carefully stir in beaten egg and drained raisins, cooking and stirring for 1 minute.

Step 9: Serve With Flair

Spoon warm rice pudding into small bowls, generously drizzle caramel-pecan sauce on top, and enjoy immediately.

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding

• Swap Dried Fruits: Replace classic raisins with tart dried cherries or zesty cranberries to elevate the pudding's flavor profile.
• Experiment with Rice Types: Explore aromatic basmati or delicate jasmine rice for an unexpected textural experience.
• Chill for Summer Delight: Cool down the traditional warm dessert by refrigerating, creating a refreshing treat perfect for hot days.
• Boost Creaminess: Upgrade the milk to whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream for an ultra-luxurious, silky consistency.
• Spice It Up: Introduce exotic cardamom or warming cloves to transform the classic cinnamon-nutmeg combination into a more complex dessert sensation.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding

• Airtight Container Method: Store rice pudding in a glass or high-quality sealed container with a tight-fitting lid. Prevents moisture loss and preserves delicate creamy texture perfectly. Refrigerate immediately after cooling to maintain freshness.
• Portioning Method: Divide pudding into individual serving sizes before refrigerating. Makes reheating easier and reduces potential texture disruption. Use small mason jars or compact food storage containers for convenient single-serve options.
• Freezing Method: Transfer cooled pudding to freezer-safe containers with minimal air exposure. Wrap containers in plastic wrap for extra protection against freezer burn. Consume within one month for optimal taste and smooth consistency. Thaw slowly in refrigerator to prevent separation and maintain original creamy quality.

Delicious Variations of Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding

• Tropical Paradise Pudding: Swap raisins for dried coconut and mango chunks, using rum instead of bourbon. Infuse the rice with coconut milk and add a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes on top.
• Chocolate Lovers' Delight: Mix cocoa powder into the rice during the final cooking stage. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings and a drizzle of rich chocolate sauce for an indulgent version.
• Spiced Autumn Comfort: Replace ground cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice. Add diced roasted apples and a handful of toasted walnuts to create a warm, seasonal variation that captures fall flavors.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Use arborio rice for extra creaminess. Incorporate orange zest, pistachios, and a touch of honey. Finish with a light sprinkle of cardamom for an exotic Mediterranean touch.

Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding: A Creamy, Nostalgic Dessert

Pioneer Woman’s Rice Pudding transcends ordinary dessert experiences with its rich, spirited complexity.

Luxurious layers of creamy rice mingle with bourbon-soaked raisins, creating an indulgent southern comfort classic.

Caramel-pecan sauce cascades across each spoonful, delivering sophisticated sweet notes that dance between nostalgic and gourmet.

Kentucky bourbon provides unexpected depth, elevating this traditional recipe beyond simple home cooking.

Culinary enthusiasts will discover remarkable balance between rustic charm and refined technique in each carefully crafted bite.

Passionate dessert lovers: dive fork-first into this magnificent creation, share its deliciousness across social platforms, and spread pure gustatory joy with friends and family.

Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Pioneer Woman Rice Pudding delivers comfort from Texas kitchens with rich vanilla and cinnamon warmth. Simple ingredients blend into a nostalgic dessert perfect for sharing with loved ones who crave sweet, homemade memories.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups of milk (1% used here)
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup of medium-grain white rice
• ½ cup of butter
• ½ cup of packed brown sugar

Dairy and Sweet Components:

• 8 ounces of sweetened condensed milk (adjust if needed)
• 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon of salted butter
• 1 whole egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• ½ cup of light corn syrup

Additional Flavors and Garnishes:

• ½ cup of raisins (golden or regular)
• ½ cup of chopped pecans
• ½ cup of bourbon or other whiskey (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of bourbon or other whiskey (optional)
• Dash of ground cinnamon
• Dash of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Immerse the raisins in bourbon or whiskey for at least 60 minutes, allowing them to absorb the liquid and become plump with rich flavor.
2. In a nonstick saucepan, combine uncooked white rice, water, whole milk, heavy cream (236 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces), unsalted butter, and a delicate pinch of kosher salt.
3. Thoroughly blend the ingredients and elevate the heat to medium-high, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil while stirring intermittently.
4. Immediately reduce the temperature to low, securely cover the saucepan, and allow the rice to gently simmer for 22-27 minutes until the grains become exceptionally tender and have absorbed most of the liquid.
5. Simultaneously prepare the caramel-pecan topping by melting butter (57 grams / 2 ounces) in a separate small saucepan over medium heat, then introduce dark brown sugar and light corn syrup.
6. Incorporate roughly chopped pecans and optional whiskey into the developing sauce, bringing the mixture to a soft bubbling state and cooking for 3-4 minutes until it reaches a slightly thickened consistency.
7. Once the rice has finished cooking, fold in sweetened condensed milk, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg, returning the pan to low heat for an additional 4-5 minutes.
8. Carefully temper the beaten egg by slowly introducing a small amount of the hot rice mixture, then integrate the egg and drained raisins into the pudding, stirring continuously for one minute to prevent curdling.
9. Transfer the warm, creamy rice pudding into individual serving bowls, generously drizzle with the decadent caramel-pecan sauce, and serve immediately while still warm.

Notes

• Jazz up raisins by soaking them in bourbon for intense, boozy flavor that makes each bite more exciting.
• Slow-cooking rice in milk and cream guarantees a luxuriously smooth and decadent pudding texture.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg weave warm, aromatic notes that elevate the dessert’s overall complexity.
• Heavy cream transforms this classic treat into an ultra-rich, velvety indulgence that feels truly special.
• Caramel-pecan sauce adds dramatic crunch and silky sweetness, turning a simple pudding into an extraordinary dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 80 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg