There is something mighty comforting about a humble dessert made from pantry staples, especially on a day meant for celebrating sweets. This old-fashioned baked rice pudding style dessert is the sort of thrifty treat that reminds me of Midwestern kitchens where nothing went to waste and a bag of rice could become supper one night and a warm dessert the next. With just four simple ingredients stirred right into the baking dish, it bakes up soft, creamy, and sweet with hardly any fuss at all.
Serve this dessert warm with a little extra milk or cream poured over the top, or let it cool and spoon it into small bowls for a simple after-supper treat. It goes especially well with fresh berries, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a cup of coffee for the grown folks. If you are serving it for a holiday supper or Sunday dinner, it fits right in beside roast ham, baked chicken, or any plain country meal that needs a sweet finish.
4-Ingredient Oven-Baked Rice Pudding
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 cup dry uncooked white rice
4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and lightly grease an oven-safe glass baking dish.
2. Add the dry rice, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to the baking dish, and stir well to combine.
3. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, stirring carefully every 20 minutes so the rice cooks evenly and the top does not dry out too much.
4. Continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the rice is tender and the pudding is creamy with a lightly golden top.
5. Let the dessert rest for 10 minutes before serving so it can thicken up into a nice spoonable pudding.
Variations & Tips
Cinnamon Sugar Finish: Sprinkle the top with a little cinnamon sugar during the last 10 minutes of baking for a gentle spice and a prettier golden top. It gives this plain pudding a touch of old-time holiday flavor without adding much trouble.
Richer Pudding: If you want a fuller, creamier texture, use part evaporated milk in place of some of the regular milk. That is an old country kitchen trick that makes a pantry dessert feel just a little more special.
Make-Ahead Tip: This dessert thickens as it cools, so do not worry if it seems a touch loose straight from the oven. If reheating the next day, stir in a splash of milk before warming to bring back that creamy texture.