Easy Rice Pudding

This creamy, old-fashioned Easy Rice Pudding recipe features a surprise ingredient, ice cream, that takes it to the next level. It’s the perfect quick dessert when you’re craving a nostalgic, comforting sweet treat in a hurry.

Easy Rice Pudding with Ice Cream – A Classic Dessert with a Delicious Twist

Yes, you read that right—no typo here. The secret to this ultra-creamy rice pudding is none other than French vanilla ice cream. It melts down to create a rich, egg-free custard base that blends perfectly with the tender rice. While it may not fully replace Grandma’s old-fashioned, slow-cooked rice pudding, this shortcut version is a game-changer for busy days. It delivers all the nostalgic flavor with a fraction of the effort. And let’s be honest, any dessert that starts with ice cream is a win in my book!

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make simple Rice Pudding: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Rice – This recipe keeps it easy using quick cooking minute rice.
• Liquid – Water for moisture.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Butter – Salted butter adds richness.
• Ice Cream – Vanilla ice cream is the magical ingredient that gives this simple rice pudding a creamy texture.
• Spices – Ground cinnamon. If you’d like to add a dash of nutmeg you could.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract amps up the flavor.

How To Make the Best Rice Pudding Recipe

This easy rice pudding recipe is super simple and I don’t want to make it harder than it has to be. This recipe utilizes minute rice in place of long grain rice for this quick cooking method. That being said, I wanted to mention a few recipe tips for you to prepare so you can move along quickly and successfully when making it.

• Boil Water – In a large saucepan, bring water, sugar and butter to a rolling boil.
• Add Minute Rice – Add rice, mix well then remove from heat. Let stand covered for 5 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
• Add Ice Cream – Add ice cream and cinnamon. Mix well until fully combined and ice cream has melted.
• Let Stand – Let stand for 3-5 minutes to allow the rice to soak in some of the ice cream.
• Serve immediately or place into an airtight container and chill.

Kitchen Equipment to make Ice Cream Rice Pudding

• A 4 or 5 quart pot. Keep in mind the pot needs to be large enough to serve as the mixing bowl, too.
• Measuring spoons and cups.
• A large spoon or silicone spatula for stirring.
• 4 serving dishes or ramekins for serving.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• No Eggs – This recipe doesn’t use eggs so there’s no need to temper the liquid mixture making it quick and easy to prepare.
• Vanilla – For an extra punch of vanilla flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.
• Make Rice Pudding with Cooked Rice – You can use the same amount of cooked white rice for this recipe.
• Vanilla Ice Cream – I used French vanilla ice cream for this recipe for the more intense vanilla flavor. Plus, it’s what I typically have on hand tucked away in my freezer. Rest assured, classic vanilla or homestyle vanilla ice cream will work just as well.
• Lighter Options – You can use light ice cream, your favorite sugar substitute of choice and light butter in this rice pudding recipe with very good results.
• Heavy Cream – Once the rice pudding chills in the refrigerator it may solidify a bit and become thicker. You can add a small amount of heavy cream or whole milk to thin it, if desired.
• Fruit – If you like raisins in your rice pudding, add them! One half cup of raisins or dried cranberries (craisins), dried cherries or dried blueberries will work beautifully in this recipe. You could also sprinkle them on top.
• How to Soften Raisins – If you’d like the raisins to soften slightly, toss them into a bowl and cover with boiling water and let them soak, for a few minutes. Drain then add to the rice mixture in the pot along with the ice cream after the rice has finished steaming at the end of cooking.
• Serving Options – This creamy rice pudding dessert can be served warm or chilled, the choice is yours to make.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover Rice Pudding covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – It’s not necessary to reheat rice pudding but you could, if you like. Reheat gently in a on the stovetop or in the microwave adding additional heavy cream or milk to thin.

More Easy Pudding Recipes to Make

• Homemade Triple Chocolate Pudding is delicious served with berries and whipped cream.
• Old Fashioned Banana Pudding with a toasted meringue topping.
• No Bake Banana Pudding Pie is a delightful way to make a variation on banana pudding.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding is a decadent treat that will take you from brunch to dessert.
• Holiday Eggnog Rice Pudding uses long grain or short grain rice for a holiday variation.
• Mile High Coconut Cream Pie is a dessert rock star.
• Enjoy this Cinnamon Bun Rice Pudding for breakfast, brunch or dessert.
• White Chocolate Pudding from Simply Stacie.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Ramekins
• Measuring Set
• Saucepan
• Kitchen Utensils