Old Fashioned Tapioca Pudding

This is a classic old fashioned tapioca pudding, just like my grandma used to make. I loved snuggling up with a warm bowl of this pudding on a chilly afternoon. It’s light and creamy, perfect for a snack or dessert. If you like chocolate, be sure to try a yummy chocolate tapioca pudding.

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Old Fashioned Tapioca Pudding

Tapioca makes a deliciously light and delicate pudding that doesn't mask the flavors that are added to it. Typically it is flavored with vanilla, but lemon, peach, and even chocolate can be used to flavor the pudding.

Servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup small pearl tapioca
• 2-1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Servings Ingredients 1/2 cup small pearl tapioca 2-1/2 cups whole milk 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs, separated 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Soak the 1/2 cup of small pearl tapioca in 2 cups of water overnight, at room temperature. The next day, drain the water.
2. In the top of a double boiler, heat the milk just until it reaches the point where it is no longer cold. Add the salt and drained tapioca; stir to combine. Continue heating in the double boiler until small bubbles begin to appear on the sides of the pan. Cover and turn the heat down until it is very low. Continue cooking slowly for another hour. Make sure that the milk mixture does not come to a simmer or boil.
3. Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the egg yolks and sugar together until they are a light yellow color. Add about 1/4 cup of the hot mixture to the beaten egg yolks and continue beating until well blended. Slowly add the tempered egg and sugar mixture into the milk mixture in the double boiler, stirring constantly to incorporate well. Turn the double boiler up to medium heat and continue cooking until the tapioca mixture becomes very thick, approximately 15 minutes.
4. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, but not until they are dry. Slowly fold the egg whites into the hot tapioca mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the tapioca pudding into individual dessert dishes, or a serving dish. Serve warm or chilled.

Recipe Notes

Variations:

It is easy to make chocolate tapioca pudding. Simply fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate pieces, while the pudding is still warm.