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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Pudding

    Lamb’s Famous Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

    Published by Melissa on March 29, 2020 | Updated June 10, 2022 | 23 Comments

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    Incredibly smooth and creamy, this Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding recipe flavored with vanilla, plump raisins, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, is a simple but decadent homemade dessert made right on the stovetop.

    Side view of three ice cream cups filled with homemade old-fashioned rice pudding topped with cinnamon, whipped cream and waffle cookies on a brown linen cloth with cinnamon sticks and more cookies.

    When I was 18, I worked as a legal secretary in downtown Salt Lake City. My office was next door to Lamb’s Grill, “Utah’s Oldest Most Famous Restaurant”. My coworkers and I would go to Lamb’s several times a week and I always had the same order: this incredible rice pudding. 

    Years later, the Salt Lake Tribune printed the recipe for Lamb’s Rice Pudding. It instantly became a family favorite and a regular recipe in our homemade dessert rotation. 

    And once you try it, you’ll see why. This smooth, creamy pudding with tender white rice sprinkled with cinnamon spice is all but guaranteed to turn even the staunchest rice pudding skeptics into lifelong fans.

    In the years since I posted this Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding Recipe, Lamb’s has since closed. We were sad to lose such an iconic restaurant but so thankful to have this recipe to celebrate its legacy. 

    Update: This was one of the first recipes on Barbara Bakes. Over the years, I’ve made this Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding recipe more times than I can count, and I’ve updated this post to reflect what I’ve learned and to answer your questions. 

    Overhead of ingredients for Old-fashioned rice pudding: eggs, raisins, long-grain white rice, vanilla extract, milk, sugar and cinnamon on a white marble background with a brown linen.

    Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding Ingredient Notes

    The first thing you’ll probably notice about this Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding recipe is the short and simple ingredient list. 

    You probably even have most, if not all, of these pantry ingredients on hand. Long grain white rice, granulated sugar, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Raisins and cinnamon are optional but highly recommended.

    There are a few things to note before you make this stovetop rice pudding. First of all, the recipe calls for 10 cups of whole milk. 8 cups are used to cook the long-grain rice. The remaining 2 cups get mixed with the eggs to make the custard that thickens the rice pudding.

    Yes, you do really need 8 cups of milk to fully cook the rice. For ultra-creamy and silky homemade rice pudding, you’ll need to cook the rice a bit more than you do for normal stove-top preparations with water. A large amount of milk ensures that one cup of long-grain white rice expands into a delightful pudding texture while absorbing sweet and creamy milk. 

    While raisins are optional, I definitely think they make this rice pudding special. They add a delightful textural change and a bit of natural sweetness. Other dried fruit, such as cranberries or cherries, would also add a nice touch. 

    The classic Lamb’s way to serve creamy rice pudding is topped with a pillow of whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon. For the pictures, I also dressed it up with some crisp waffle cookies – although that’s rarely how I serve it.  

    How To Make Lamb’s Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding at Home

    There are three steps to making perfect stovetop rice pudding. First, cook the rice, milk, and sugar. Then make a mixture of eggs, milk and a bit more sugar which is stirred into the cooked rice to create a luscious, creamy pudding. 

    First, the rice cooks on the stovetop, except with milk instead of water. Whole milk provides a silky and creamy texture to the finished rice pudding. You’ll cook the rice and milk with most of the sugar, which develops flavor as it cooks.

    Remember to stir the rice frequently while cooking. It may stick to the bottom and cook unevenly if you forget to stir. The rice will take up to an hour to cook fully, so it does require some patience, but I assure you, it’s worth it!

    Close up of a teaspoon of perfectly cooked long-grain white rice over a saucepan of milk and rice cooking for old-fashioned rice pudding recipe.

    It’s important to fully cook the rice all the way through before adding the egg mixture. Otherwise, your rice will not be tender. Note that the rice, even when it’s finished, will not absorb all of the milk. However, the grains are totally soft and tender, so it’s time to turn it into pudding! 

    In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla and remaining milk and sugar until well blended.

    Side view of a cook pouring an egg mixture into cooked long-grain white rice for old-fashioned rice pudding while whisking in a stainless steel pot.

    When you add the egg mixture to the cooked rice, pour it in a steady stream, stirring the rice constantly. Stirring prevents the hot rice from cooking the eggs as you add them. 

    Once the eggs are fully mixed into the rice and heated, a pudding/custard is created. If you’re using raisins, stir them in now. The heat will help soften them up. Then, remove the pudding from the heat. 

    The rice pudding will still be thinner than you like at this stage. But as the Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding cools, it will thicken up. After cooling at room temperature, you can refrigerate it to firm it up even more. 

    I love serving this creamy rice pudding hot, but Lamb’s used to serve their pudding chilled topped with whipped cream. 

    Close up of a teaspoon with cooked old-fashioned rice pudding over a stainless steel saucepan of rice pudding on a brown linen cloth.

    Can I Half or Double Old-Fashioned Stovetop Rice Pudding?

    Yes! You can easily half this rice pudding recipe by simply cutting each ingredient by half. 

    You can also double it, however, you’ll need a large pot to hold 16 cups of milk and all the rice! The cooking time for the rice may also increase with more liquid, so be sure to test the rice before adding the eggs. It’s cooked when the grains are soft, tender and creamy tasting. 

    Close up on three glass goblets of homemade old-fashioned white rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and topped with whipped cream and waffle cookies.

    What Kind of Rice Makes Creamy Rice Pudding?

    Opt for long-grain white rice for best results. The larger grains means the rice absorbs more milk, and more milk means more flavor! 

    dishes of creamy, old fashioned rice pudding, made in a pressure cooker

    When I adapted this rice pudding recipe for the Instant Pot, I found that arborio works great in a pressure cooker. It’s much faster to make in the pressure cooker, so if you’re short on time, your pressure cooker might be the best bet. 

    Side view of three ice cream cups filled with homemade old-fashioned rice pudding topped with cinnamon, whipped cream and waffle cookies on a brown linen cloth with cinnamon sticks and more cookies.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    4.29 from 14 votes

    Lamb’s Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

    Cook Time1 hr 15 mins
    Additional Time15 mins
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Servings: 8 servings
    Author: Barbara Bakes LLC
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Equipment

    • All-Clad 8701004396 Saucier Pan, 2-Quart, Stainless Steel

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup long grain rice
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 8 cups whole milk
    • 4 eggs
    • 2 cups milk
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 t. vanilla
    • 1 cup raisins not in the original recipe, but for me it is a must

    Instructions

    • In large saucepan combine rice, 1 cup sugar and 8 cups milk. Cook, covered, until the rice is tender, stirring frequently (about 1 hour).
    • In a mixing bowl combine eggs, 2 cups milk, ¼ cup sugar, and vanilla. Beat well to combine.
    • When the rice is tender, add egg mixture; cook until mixture just starts to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in raisins if using; cool then chill. (It will thicken as it cools.)
    • Lamb’s always served it cold with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, but I love it warm. It’s great either way.

    More Favorite Homemade Pudding Recipes 

    • If you’re in a rush, I adapted this Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding recipe for the Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker on Pressure Cooking Today. It’s just as dreamy, in less than 30 minutes!
    • Raspberry Bread Pudding unites soft, puddingy bread with zesty orange, cranberry and raspberry flavors.
    • Classic vanilla Tapioca Pudding in the Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker is a simple, always popular throw-back dessert. 
    • Hot Fudge Pudding Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake is insanely chocolaty and sure to hit your chocolate and pudding cravings in one dish!

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    Close up on three glass goblets of homemade old-fashioned white rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and topped with whipped cream and waffle cookies.
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    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. June

      October 20, 2020 at 8:16 am

      Love, love, loved this recipe best I have ever made and I have tried several recipes followed it without any changes, came out delicious. This rice pudding is definitely a keeper.

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        October 20, 2020 at 8:20 am

        Now that’s a rave review – thanks June!

        Reply
    2. Dawn mcaughan

      June 21, 2020 at 6:35 am

      I was so excited to find this recipe to make my dad for Father’s Day. My family lived in SLC for years but have since moved away. We have fond memories of eating at Lambs Grill and was sad to hear of its closing, How many servings does this recipe make? 

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        June 21, 2020 at 6:38 am

        Hi Dawn – how fun that you have fond memories of Lamb’s restaurant too. It makes about 8 servings. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. olga

      March 31, 2020 at 5:49 am

      Do you use long grain parboiled or regular long grain rice? Also, do you think almond/oat or cashew milk would work?

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        March 31, 2020 at 8:26 am

        Hi Olga – I’ve only used regular long grain rice, but you could use parboiled rice and reduce the cook time. I haven’t tried making it with almond/oat or cashew milk but I think it should work fine. You may want to add an extra egg to make the pudding a little more creamy.

        Reply
    4. Carol

      March 30, 2020 at 8:25 am

      I love your story about this pudding. Isn’t it fun to find a favorite recipe from a restaurant in the paper? It always makes me happy-and nudges me straight to the kitchen to check for ingredients. Boy you just can’t beat a classic-and that pudding looks heavenly. I haven’t made rice pudding in SO long-and I haven’t even tried making it in the pressure cooker….yet. In this turned upside down time we’re in now, comfort food seems to be something we’re craving.

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        March 30, 2020 at 8:59 am

        You’re so right Carol – it really does feel like the world has turned upside. Enjoy the pudding!

        Reply
    5. Judith

      January 08, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      I am just wondering if 8 cups of milk is correct for 1 cup of rice. It sounds like a lot of milk and makes a huge amount of pudding?

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        January 08, 2020 at 4:02 pm

        Hi Judith – yes, that is correct. Here’s the newspaper clipping where I got the recipes https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/food/ci_11443082

        Reply
    6. Rita S

      March 01, 2019 at 3:01 pm

      Hi,
      I used Arborio rice everything else was exactly as the recipe stated.  It came out perfect!!! This recipe is a keeper.  Thanks for sharing. 😀

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        March 01, 2019 at 10:02 pm

        Great – thanks Rita!

        Reply
    7. BobO

      November 09, 2017 at 6:57 pm

      This will be my first time making rice pudding

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        November 09, 2017 at 7:07 pm

        Great – just be sure and cook the rice until it’s as tender as you’d like. Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Gigi

      September 08, 2011 at 7:13 pm

      This is incredibly delicious rice pudding. Delicious. A little more work but the results are more than worth it. I did use the ingredients I had at home. Brown sugar, 2% milk and Botan Calrose rice. Simply wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Barbara

        September 08, 2011 at 9:25 pm

        Hi Gigi – Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed the rice pudding. We love this recipe too. Brown sugar sounds like a wonderful addition, I may try that next time.

        Reply
    9. Barbara Bakes

      April 29, 2008 at 11:45 pm

      I would love it if after you make it you come back and let me know what you thought! Thanks!

      Reply
    10. HoneyB

      April 29, 2008 at 9:55 pm

      I have to try this! Rice Pudding is one of the dishes we always make for CFY/EFY weekends, I’m ready for a new creamy recipe instead of the custardy one we have been using!

      Reply
    11. OhioMom

      April 29, 2008 at 11:08 am

      Mama used to make rice pudding, sometimes we just put milk and sugar on rice too.

      Looks yummy !

      Reply
    12. Priscilla

      April 26, 2008 at 3:14 am

      This pudding sounds delicious! I’d have to say I’ve only had rice pudding a couple of times…but I’d give yours a try!

      Reply
    13. Barbara Bakes

      April 25, 2008 at 11:20 pm

      Deborah – I don’t make it into Salt Lake very often any more either, but I may have to start when they get the construction finished.

      Jenny – I would love it if you shared your favorite rice pudding recipe.

      Reply
    14. Jenny

      April 25, 2008 at 9:21 pm

      Oh my,
      Rice pudding is one of my very favorite desserts! This looks incredible!

      Reply
    15. Deborah

      April 25, 2008 at 8:02 pm

      I obviously don’t get up to Salt Lake very often -I have never heard of Lamb’s! Now I want some, though!!

      Reply

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