1-How to Prepare the Perfect Creamy Rice Pudding: Step-by-Step Guide: Getting the hang of making creamy rice pudding is all about taking it one step at a time, and I promise it’s simpler than it sounds. Start by rinsing a large pot with cold water without drying it, which helps prevent the milk from scorching right away. Then, add 4 cups of whole milk (3.5% fat) to the pot and heat it over medium heat until it boils, stirring regularly to keep an eye on it and avoid any overflow.

2-While the milk heats, grab a separate bowl and whisk together 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream (35% fat), 1/3 cup white granulated sugar, 2 large egg yolks, 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Set this aside to warm up a bit. Once the milk boils, stir in 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice or Arborio rice and bring it back to a gentle boil before lowering the heat to a simmer.

3-Keep things simmering for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes and mixing in any skin that forms on top to keep it smooth. If needed, add hot milk or water to keep the rice from sticking and ensure it stays suspended. After that initial time, stir every 5 minutes and check if the rice is tender, cooking for a total of 45 to 50 minutes until it’s just right.

4-Tempering and Finishing Touches: Once the rice is tender, take the pot off the heat. Rewhisk your egg mixture and slowly add about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups of the hot rice mixture to it while whisking continuously this tempers the eggs and prevents curdling. Pour this back into the pot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring almost constantly, until a small bubble breaks the surface and the pudding thickens but stays saucy.

5-If you’re using 1/2 cup raisins, put them in a bowl and pour the hot pudding over them. Let it stand for about 5 minutes to cool a little, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set properly. Before serving, give it a good stir, and if it’s too thick, add a bit of cream to loosen it up. For classic inspiration, check out this resource on Classic Creamy Rice Pudding Recipe.