Irish Rice Pudding makes the perfect easy dessert. Made with basic ingredients that any home cook can use. If you want to try a classic dessert, add this creamy rice pudding recipe to your must-make list.
Making this easy recipe homemade truly does make for the creamiest rice pudding. My family members agree that eating this hot rice mixture really does taste like a dream. It's the ultimate comfort food that warms your belly and heart. Who knew that white rice could be used to make such a special treat?
While the type of rice needed is important, I assure you that this pudding rice mixture is worth making over and over again. The creamy texture will have your tastebuds craving more - until it's all gone and you realize that you need to make another batch.
Be sure to check out my Smoked Bread Pudding for another fun pudding recipe idea. These are two totally different flavors and tastes, but both are worthy of your time and effort.
Ingredients
Whole milk - The rice slowly cooks in the milk which makes it extra rich and creamy.
White sugar - Adds sweetness.
Brown sugar - Adds sweetness and warmth.
Uncooked long-grain white rice - This is the best type of rice to use for this recipe.
Eggs - Used as a binding agent. Also great for adding protein.
Vanilla extract - Vanilla naturally enhances the other flavors in desserts.
Salted butter - Added salted butter also enhances the other flavors and the creaminess of the pudding.
Irish whiskey - Use your favorite type of whiskey for this recipe.
Ground cinnamon - You could also use a cinnamon stick and just grind off a bit of fresh cinnamon to put on top.
How to make Irish Rice Pudding
Step One: Add ½ gallon of milk, sugar, and rice into a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Let the mixture simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Stir frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step Two: Whisk the eggs, vanilla, and ¼ cup milk in a large bowl.
Step Three: Stir in the rice mixture and put the pan to low heat.
Stir the whole time for 2 minutes. The rice and egg mixture will get thick enough to coat the back of a spoon as shown.
Stir in the whiskey, vanilla, and butter.
Step Four: Pour the pudding mixture into a 9X13-inch dish and then cover it with plastic wrap.
Fold back the corners to let out the steam. Let the pudding cool to room temperature.
Step Five: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight. Take off the plastic wrap off the baking dish and add cinnamon to the surface before serving.
Variations
Add different toppings - Once this good rice pudding recipe is ready to serve and enjoy, you can add toppings or mix-ins. That's the best part! The most common topping for this easy rice pudding recipe is ground cinnamon, but you can also add fresh berries, chocolate chips, golden raisins, fresh fruit, or even a little bit of soft brown sugar sprinkled on top.
Types of rice - Other rice variations like arborio rice or brown rice could be tried in place of white rice, but since I haven't tested them there is no guarantee for the outcome.
Add flavoring - Mixing in a bit of orange zest or even lemon zest from a lemon rind add a fun pop of citrus flavor to this prepared dish. It's really easy to enhance the flavoring of this delicious rice pudding recipe.
Dairy-free - I have tested it but I believe this could be made with dairy by using almond milk and omitting the butter.
Alcohol - I chose to add a splash of Irish whiskey but subbing in Irish cream would be amazing.
Common Questions
How long does rice pudding last in the fridge?
As long as you keep leftover rice pudding covered and stored in the fridge, it should last for up to 4 days. You might need to stir it each time before serving it.
It's not recommended to freeze any leftovers of this rice pudding, so fresh is best. Just plan on eating it within the few days of storing it to enjoy this flavor and taste it over and over again. It's just delicious!
Is this creamy pudding a dessert or breakfast?
It's whatever you want it to be! New recipes like this are versatile in how they can be enjoyed. If you want to start your mornings with this dish, pair it with a piece of toast and enjoy. If you want to make it a dessert, add some sweet toppings to end the day.
Most people will say that it's a dessert because of the added whiskey, but that is up to you.
Where did rice pudding originate?
It's said to have started in Ancient China due to the abundance of rice grown in the area. I can't be sure that it hasn't been altered over the years, making it the delicious dish that we love today.
Recipe
Irish Rice Pudding
Ingredients
- 8 cups whole milk
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon salted butter
- ¼ cup Irish whiskey
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or to taste
Instructions
- Combine 8 cups milk, sugar, and rice in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Whisk together eggs, ¼ cup milk, and vanilla in a large bowl until well combined.
- Stir into rice mixture and return the pan to low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Stir in butter and whiskey.
- Pour pudding into a 9x13-inch dish and cover with plastic wrap, folding back the corners to allow steam to escape. Allow pudding to cool to room temperature.
- Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle the surface of pudding with cinnamon. Cover tightly with fresh plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight before serving.
Gabriela Dudasova says
nice and smooth taste
Jenny Pfingston says
My favorite rice pudding!
Michelle Rowand says
How would I reduce this if I want to used rice that’s already cooked?
Taryn says
It would be easier to just use a recipe that calls for cooked rice. You could add some bourbon to that one 🙂
Kim Payr says
I’ve always had my rice pudding baked and served warm. Could this be baked in the oven to ‘dry it out some’ ?
Taryn says
Sure, but I would still recommend cooking on your stovetop until the rice is tender. After that you could transfer to a casserole and bake.
Carrie says
Due to medication interaction we can’t have alcohol. Do you think this pudding will still be good without it?
Taryn says
Definitely. Or if you want a hint of the same flavor you could use an extract. I've never seen whiskey extract but rum extract is common.
Theresa says
Could you mix the whiskey in the first step to cook the alcohol off while this simmers for an hour?
Taryn says
Sure
Carolyn says
Yes I do. Will not be putting it in mine
Ann Denicker says
This recipe was amazing! The flavors of brown sugar and a hint of whiskey was a hit! I will scale back on the sugar next time. This is a keeper