Tapioca Pearl Pudding

A creamy, comforting dessert made with small pearl tapioca, milk, and cream, enriched with egg yolk and delicately spiced with nutmeg. This classic pudding has a luxuriously smooth texture and delicate sweetness.

6 servings
2 hr 54 min

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk powder
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • cup small pearl tapioca
  • cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 pinch nutmeg

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk milk, cream, milk powder, and salt in a medium saucepan; add tapioca and let sit 30 minutes to hydrate. Add sugar to tapioca mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

    30 min

  2. 2.

    Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the consistency of a thick soup, 10-12 minutes. Whisk in egg yolk and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes (it will thicken slightly). Let cool, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.

    24 min

  3. 3.

    Divide among small glasses. Chill pudding until cold (it will thicken), at least 2 hours. Serve topped with nutmeg.

    120 min

  4. 4.

    Do ahead: Pudding can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.