Quick & Cozy Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Recipe for Festive Treats

Rich and creamy eggnog tapioca pudding revamps a classic holiday beverage into an irresistible dessert.

Traditional pudding techniques blend with festive flavors, creating a luxurious treat that celebrates winter’s most beloved drink.

Silky pearls of tapioca absorb the warm, spiced essence of eggnog, resulting in a smooth and decadent texture.

Each spoonful carries the nostalgic comfort of seasonal celebrations, melting gracefully on your tongue.

The delicate balance between creamy custard and tender tapioca pearls makes this dessert both elegant and comforting.

Subtle notes of nutmeg and vanilla dance through the pudding, enhancing its sophisticated charm.

You’ll find this recipe elevates the traditional eggnog experience into a memorable sweet finale.

Why Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Is a Holiday Treat

• Festive Holiday Comfort: This eggnog tapioca pudding transforms traditional holiday flavors into a creamy, nostalgic dessert that captures the warmth of Christmas celebrations.
• Luxurious Texture Play: Soft, translucent tapioca pearls create a delightful contrast with silky smooth eggnog base, offering a unique mouthfeel that dances between chewy and creamy.
• Effortless Elegant Dessert: With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, this recipe delivers a sophisticated dessert that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary expertise, perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their holiday menu.

What You’ll Need for Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

• Tapioca Pearls: Small pearls that create the pudding's signature texture, choose quick-cooking or small-sized pearls for even cooking.
• Milk: Provides creamy base and helps soften tapioca, whole milk recommended for richer flavor.
• Eggnog: Adds holiday flavor and extra richness to the pudding, choose high-quality store-bought or homemade version.

• Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps stabilize the pudding, white granulated sugar works best.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic holiday spices that enhance the eggnog flavor, freshly ground spices provide more intense taste.
• Vanilla: Adds depth and warmth to the overall dessert, pure vanilla extract recommended.

• Egg Whites: Creates light and airy texture when whipped, use fresh eggs at room temperature for best volume.
• Salt: Helps balance flavors and enhances overall taste of the pudding, use fine sea salt or kosher salt.

How to Make Tapioca Pudding with Eggnog

Step 1: Prepare Tapioca Base

• Grab a small bowl
• Add tapioca pearls
• Pour in milk
• Stir gently
• Refrigerate for 3 hours

Step 2: Combine Flavor Ingredients

• Soaked tapioca mixture
• Eggnog
• Sugar
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Transfer mixture to medium saucepan and blend all ingredients together

Step 3: Cook Pudding Slowly

Heat mixture over medium temperature

Stir frequently to prevent burning

Reduce heat when mixture nearly boils

Maintain gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes

Continuously stir until tapioca becomes thick and creamy

Step 4: Check Tapioca Texture

Taste test tapioca pearls

If pearls feel chewy, continue cooking for additional 5 minutes

Ensure soft, tender consistency

Step 5: Add Vanilla Essence

Remove from heat

Stir in vanilla extract

Allow pudding to cool for 15 minutes

Step 6: Create Fluffy Meringue Topping

Whip egg whites

Sprinkle sugar while beating

Whip until stiff peaks form

Gently fold meringue into cooled tapioca

Step 7: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for 4 hours

Alternatively, serve warm

Garnish with whipped cream

Sprinkle ground nutmeg on top

Tips for Creamy, Cozy Eggnog Pudding

• Soak Strategically: Allow tapioca pearls to absorb milk completely by refrigerating for the full 3 hours, ensuring a creamy and smooth texture.
• Stir Consistently: Prevent milk from scorching by stirring frequently during cooking, maintaining a gentle simmer to develop rich flavors.
• Test for Tenderness: Check tapioca pearl softness by tasting; continue cooking if pearls remain chewy for the perfect pudding consistency.
• Whip Whites Precisely: Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form to create a light, airy texture when folded into the pudding.
• Chill or Serve Flexibly: Enjoy the pudding warm or chilled, with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg for an extra festive touch.

How to Keep Leftovers Tasting Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store leftover eggnog tapioca pudding in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep it sealed tightly to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Reheating: Gently warm the pudding in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Add a splash of milk if the pudding seems too thick.
• Freezing: Not recommended for this recipe, as the delicate texture of tapioca and egg whites may separate or become watery when thawed, compromising the pudding's creamy consistency.

What Pairs Well with Eggnog Pudding

• Pair with Spiced Rum: Enhance the eggnog tapioca pudding's festive flavors by serving it alongside a smooth, warming spiced rum. The rum's caramel and vanilla notes complement the pudding's creamy texture and holiday spices.
• Match with Gingerbread Cookies: Serve crisp, spicy gingerbread cookies alongside the pudding for a delightful textural contrast. The cookies' crunch and warm ginger flavor beautifully balance the soft, creamy tapioca.
• Complement with Cinnamon Coffee: Brew a rich, aromatic cinnamon-infused coffee to accompany the dessert. The coffee's warmth and subtle spice echo the pudding's nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, creating a harmonious winter treat.

Sweet Twists on Eggnog Tapioca Pudding

• Holiday Spice Remix: Swap cinnamon and nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice for a warm, festive flavor profile that captures winter holiday essence.
• Bourbon Caramel Boost: Add 2 tablespoons bourbon during cooking and drizzle caramel sauce on top for a rich, sophisticated adult version of the pudding.
• Chocolate Eggnog Fusion: Stir in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and dark chocolate shavings to create a decadent chocolate-eggnog hybrid dessert.
• Tropical Winter Escape: Replace half the milk with coconut milk and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a Caribbean-inspired winter treat.

Eggnog Tapioca Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy eggnog tapioca pudding brings holiday cheer with its rich, nostalgic flavors from traditional Christmas celebrations. Smooth pearls of tapioca swim in a luscious eggnog base, offering you a delightful seasonal dessert that whispers festive memories.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup small pearl tapioca
• 2 ½ cups milk
• 1 ½ cups eggnog
• 2 egg whites

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for egg whites)

Spices and Flavorings:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Toppings:

• whipped cream
• ground nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Immerse small tapioca pearls in milk within a compact vessel, ensuring thorough mixing. Refrigerate the mixture for several hours to allow pearl hydration.
2. Transfer the soaked tapioca and milk to a medium cooking pot, introducing eggnog, sugar, salt, aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Apply medium thermal intensity, continuously stirring to prevent milk scorching. As the liquid approaches boiling point, reduce heat to maintain gentle simmering.
4. Continue simmering and stirring consistently, monitoring tapioca’s transformation into a thickened consistency. This process typically requires 10-15 minutes of attentive cooking.
5. Perform a texture assessment by sampling a few pearls, ensuring they’ve reached a tender, soft state. Extend cooking time if pearls remain firm or chewy.
6. Remove from heat source, incorporate vanilla essence, and allow the mixture to cool and settle for approximately quarter-hour.
7. Meanwhile, whip egg whites with a touch of sugar until they develop robust, stiff peaks. Gently integrate the whipped whites into the cooled tapioca, creating a light, airy texture.
8. Refrigerate the pudding for several hours to enhance flavor melding and achieve optimal chilling. Alternatively, serve warm with a lavish dollop of whipped cream and a delicate sprinkle of ground nutmeg.

Notes

• Plan ahead by soaking tapioca pearls for at least 3 hours to ensure perfect texture and even cooking.
• Stir the pudding constantly while simmering to prevent milk from scorching and create a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Check tapioca pearls for softness by tasting; they should be translucent and tender without any hard centers.
• Fold beaten egg whites gently into the cooled pudding to maintain their airy volume and create a lighter dessert.
• Customize serving temperature by enjoying warm immediately or chilling for a refreshing cold dessert.
• Enhance presentation with a dollop of whipped cream and a light dusting of ground nutmeg for a festive holiday touch.

• Prep Time: 3 hours (includes soaking time)
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Drinks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 289
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 112 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg