Cozy Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Recipe: A Holiday Treat Awaits

Creamy eggnog tapioca pudding brings winter’s most beloved flavors into a delightful dessert that sparkles with holiday spirit.

Festive spices dance through each silky spoonful, creating memories of cozy gatherings.

Soft pearl-like tapioca pearls absorb the rich custard, offering unexpected texture and charm.

Nutmeg and cinnamon whisper warmth into every bite, making this treat feel like a sweet embrace.

Cold nights call for comforting desserts that remind you of cherished traditions.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical when mixed with care and passion.

Discover how this pudding can become your new seasonal favorite.

Why Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Is Worth A Try

• Simplify Cooking: Master a classic dessert with straightforward steps that guide you smoothly from start to finish, making pudding preparation feel like a delightful kitchen adventure.
• Customize with Ease: Add personal touches like rum or extra spices to transform this traditional recipe into your signature dessert, perfect for impressing family and friends.
• Creamy Comfort Dessert: Enjoy a luxurious, velvety texture that combines soft tapioca pearls with rich cream, creating a comforting treat that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• No-Stress Technique: Learn professional cooking methods like tempering eggs and slowly cooking pudding, building confidence in your kitchen skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Ingredient List

• Milk: A smooth and creamy liquid that provides the foundational texture for the pudding.
• Tapioca Pearls: Small, translucent starch balls that create a delightful chewy texture in the pudding.
• Eggs: A rich binding ingredient that helps thicken and enrich the pudding's consistency.
• Sugar: A sweet component that balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and a velvety smoothness to the pudding.

• Vanilla Extract, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cinnamon: Aromatic spices that contribute warm, complex notes to the dessert.
• Rum: An optional ingredient that provides a subtle depth of flavor to the pudding.

• Whipped Cream, Ground Nutmeg: A light and decorative topping that adds visual appeal and extra flavor complexity.

How To Whip Up Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

Step 1: Warm Milk and Tapioca

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine milk and tapioca pearls. Gently stir and let the pearls slowly soften and hydrate for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Whip Egg Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. Gradually add sugar while continuing to whisk, creating a light, frothy mixture that becomes pale and well-blended.

Step 3: Temper Egg Blend

Carefully pour a small amount of warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This process prevents curdling and ensures a silky smooth integration of ingredients.

Step 4: Combine Milk and Egg Mixture

Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with milk and tapioca. Stir consistently to maintain an even texture and prevent burning at the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: Cook Pudding to Perfect Consistency

Continue cooking for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully as the mixture thickens. Look for tapioca pearls to become translucent and tender, indicating the pudding is nearly complete.

Step 6: Enhance with Creamy Flavors

• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cinnamon

Blend thoroughly to create a rich and aromatic dessert base.

Step 7: Chill and Set

Transfer pudding to a clean bowl. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until completely chilled.

Step 8: Serve with Elegant Finish

Before serving, gently stir the pudding and optional rum. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a light sprinkle of ground nutmeg for a sophisticated presentation.

Top Tips For Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Perfection

• Prevent Lumpy Texture: Stir tapioca pearls continuously while hydrating to ensure even softening and avoid clumping.
• Smooth Egg Incorporation: Temper eggs gradually by adding warm milk slowly, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling and maintain a silky consistency.
• Watch Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium-low heat and stir frequently to prevent scorching and achieve a creamy pudding texture.
• Control Pudding Thickness: Cook until tapioca pearls become translucent and the mixture thickens naturally, which takes about 10-12 minutes.
• Chill for Best Flavor: Cover pudding surface directly with plastic wrap when refrigerating to prevent skin formation and enhance overall taste.

Creative Spins On Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

• Vegan Coconut Tapioca Pudding: Replace dairy milk with coconut milk, use cornstarch or chia seeds instead of eggs, and swap heavy cream with coconut cream for a plant-based version.
• Tropical Fruit Infusion: Mix in diced mango, pineapple, or passion fruit during the final stages of cooking to add vibrant flavors and a refreshing tropical touch.
• Gluten-Free Spiced Version: Confirm tapioca pearls are certified gluten-free, add cardamom and ginger for an exotic spice profile, and use alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or agave.
• Low-Sugar Almond Variation: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, incorporate almond milk, and sprinkle toasted almond slivers on top for added texture and nutty complexity.

Best Pairings With Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

• Complement the creamy tapioca pudding with a smooth, spiced rum cocktail that echoes the dessert's warm nutmeg and cinnamon notes. The alcohol's caramel undertones will beautifully enhance the pudding's rich, velvety texture.
• Flavor-Matching Wine Selection: Pair Sweet Moscato
• Select a chilled Moscato d'Asti with its light, sweet profile and subtle effervescence to balance the pudding's dense creaminess. Its delicate fruity hints will dance alongside the dessert's warm spice elements without overwhelming the palate.
• Dessert Companion: Serve Toasted Almond Biscotti
• Add crispy toasted almond biscotti alongside the pudding for a delightful textural contrast.

Storage Tips For Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

• Store pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover surface with plastic wrap directly touching the pudding to prevent skin formation and maintain creamy texture.
• Transfer cooled pudding to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Warm pudding in microwave using 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, use stovetop method with low heat, adding splash of milk to restore original consistency.
• If pudding becomes too thick after storage, whisk in small amounts of milk or cream to restore original smooth, creamy consistency before serving.

FAQs About Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

• What are tapioca pearls?

Tapioca pearls are small, translucent balls made from cassava root starch, providing a unique chewy texture in desserts and creating a distinctive mouthfeel in puddings.

• Can I use a different type of milk?

While whole milk works best for creamy texture, you can substitute with 2% milk or non-dairy alternatives like almond or coconut milk, though the richness might slightly vary.

• Why do I need to temper the eggs?

Tempering prevents eggs from scrambling by gradually raising their temperature, ensuring a smooth, silky pudding without unwanted egg chunks or curdling.

Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 35-37 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Festive holiday desserts reach new heights with eggnog tapioca pudding, a creamy blend of traditional flavors and silky texture. Rich Caribbean tapioca pearls and classic Christmas spices create a luxurious treat you’ll savor with pure seasonal delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup tapioca pearls
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Flavoring and Spices:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional Garnish:

• 2 tbsp rum (optional)
• Whipped cream for topping
• Extra ground nutmeg for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Prepare a medium saucepan by setting it over medium-low heat, then gently combine milk and tapioca pearls, allowing them to slowly hydrate and soften for approximately 15 minutes while stirring occasionally.
2. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl until smooth, gradually incorporating sugar to create a light, pale mixture that becomes slightly frothy and well-integrated.
3. Temper the egg mixture by slowly pouring a small amount of warm milk into the eggs, whisking continuously to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth incorporation.
4. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the milk and tapioca, stirring consistently to maintain an even texture and prevent scorching at the bottom of the pan.
5. Continue cooking the pudding for 10-12 minutes, watching for a gradual thickening and tracking when the tapioca pearls become translucent and tender.
6. Remove from heat and fold in heavy cream, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon, creating a rich and aromatic dessert base.
7. Transfer the pudding to a clean bowl, covering the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until thoroughly chilled.
8. Before serving, gently stir the pudding and optional rum, then garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a delicate sprinkle of ground nutmeg for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Soak tapioca pearls before cooking to reduce overall cooking time and ensure even softening, preventing clumpy or undercooked texture.
• Replace whole milk with lower-fat alternatives like almond or oat milk for a lighter version that still maintains creamy consistency.
• Control temperature carefully during egg tempering to avoid scrambling, using slow and steady whisking technique for silky smooth pudding.
• Customize holiday flavors by experimenting with different spices like cardamom or adding orange zest for a unique festive twist on traditional eggnog profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg