Baked Tapioca Pudding With Cinnamon Sugar Brûlée Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Baked Tapioca Pudding With Cinnamon Sugar Brûlée Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes
Rating
5(241)
Notes
Read community notes

This pudding offers you both the satisfying crack of using your spoon to break through a brûlée topping and the sensation of dipping that spoon into fluffy pudding. Tapioca generally isn’t baked, but it is easier than cooking it on top of the stove. And once the pudding is in the oven you can leave it alone, as opposed to the stovetop method, which requires frequent stirring to prevent scorching. The use of pearl tapioca makes for a springy texture, and cinnamon in the topping adds a bit of spice.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings.

  • 3cups whole milk
  • 1cup heavy cream
  • 1cinnamon stick
  • cup small pearl tapioca
  • 4large egg yolks
  • 85grams granulated sugar (about ⅓ cup)
  • ¼teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 45grams Demerara sugar (about 3 tablespoons)
  • ¼teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

253 calories; 16 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 23 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 17 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 125 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Baked Tapioca Pudding With Cinnamon Sugar Brûlée Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 300 degrees

  2. Step

    2

    In a medium saucepan, bring the milk, cream and cinnamon stick to a simmer. Whisk in the tapioca. Simmer until the pearls are completely tender, about 20 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar and salt. Whisking constantly, pour in a third of the tapioca mixture. Whisk yolk mixture into the pot of tapioca; simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a heat-proof spatula, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.

  4. Step

    4

    Transfer pudding to a buttered 1.5-quart gratin dish. Sprinkle the top with Demerara sugar and cinnamon. Bake, uncovered, until the pudding is firm around the edges and jiggly in the center, about 30 minutes. Put under the broiler until top is bubbling and golden, 3 to 5 minutes. (Watch carefully to make sure it doesn’t burn.) Eat warm, or chill and serve cold, removing the cinnamon stick while serving.

Ratings

5

out of 5

241

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Scott

Two lessons: First, do not use "Tapioca Granules" even if that's all the market has and the box has a tapioca pudding recipe. Second, do not cook this dish, put in the fridge, and notice the cream that you forgot to add in Step 1. (Double all of this if tapioca pudding is your wife's favorite childhood dessert and she is the creative director of NYT Cooking).

Jen

Many recipes I find call for soaking the tapioca for 12 hours/overnight. Are you using instant in this recipe?

Aaron

I did and it worked fine.A lot of the demerara sugar had dissolved into the custard during baking, though. It tasted great, but there wasn't enough left for a crust, as pictured. Next time, I might try holding some sugar back and putting it on right before I torch or broil.

Christina

I'm supposed to be on a diet. I keep making this instead.

kate

Very tasty and a hit with the family. I could not find pearl tapioca at any of the grocery stores in my city, eventually ordered Bob's Red Mill online. I would say this serves 4-6 at most. Good with raspberries.

Katy

Demerara sugar is chunkier and less processed than regular granulated sugar, so it is light brown with hints of molasses. Other than the texture (which is needed for this recipe), it is a lot like brown sugar. Florida Crystals makes demerara sugar, and I can find it in bigger supermarkets. It's quite overpriced on Amazon.

Angie

I made this a while back (2013) with large tapioca pearls (didn’t soak them so it took forever to cook through) but it was delicious and we think about it often. It has been requested as a birthday treat this weekend. I will make it with large pearls again, hopefully we will get the same yummy result! Can’t wait!

Tallis Green

I used a homemade almond/cashew milk, coconut cream, and also substituted palm sugar for the regular sugar. Worked perfectly and is delicious

Stacey

Could you use a kitchen torch on the sugar instead of putting it under the broiler?

VLJ

Added 1/2 tsp of vanilla after adding the custard back into the tapioca mixture which made the cinnamon less powerful and more mellow.

Ali

Too sweet, maybe half sugar. Add sugar when suggested, not later.

Yvonne

I’ve done this twice now. Delicious. Followed the directions explicitly, but I had to give it an hour in the oven both times to get it to set up - still very “wet” but sets up the rest of the way in the fridge.

Christina

I'm supposed to be on a diet. I keep making this instead.

Chase

If one had the tapioca pudding already made, I am wondering if that could be used and if any more milk or shuck would needed to be added ?

Christina

Pandemic cooking but inauguration day! A great day to celebrate with caloric pudding - especially this creamy comforting toothsome caloric pudding. I added a splash of vanilla and a small handful of candied ginger - next time I'll add more. I didn't achieve the creme brûlée top (even with the broiler) but I didn't especially miss it. Next time, I'll try a blow torch method at the end.

Tallis Green

I used a homemade almond/cashew milk, coconut cream, and also substituted palm sugar for the regular sugar. Worked perfectly and is delicious

Angie

I made this a while back (2013) with large tapioca pearls (didn’t soak them so it took forever to cook through) but it was delicious and we think about it often. It has been requested as a birthday treat this weekend. I will make it with large pearls again, hopefully we will get the same yummy result! Can’t wait!

Stacey

Could you use a kitchen torch on the sugar instead of putting it under the broiler?

Aaron

I did and it worked fine.A lot of the demerara sugar had dissolved into the custard during baking, though. It tasted great, but there wasn't enough left for a crust, as pictured. Next time, I might try holding some sugar back and putting it on right before I torch or broil.

debbie kirsch

what is demerara sugar?

Katy

Demerara sugar is chunkier and less processed than regular granulated sugar, so it is light brown with hints of molasses. Other than the texture (which is needed for this recipe), it is a lot like brown sugar. Florida Crystals makes demerara sugar, and I can find it in bigger supermarkets. It's quite overpriced on Amazon.

cshellyg

Better a day later!

Jen

Many recipes I find call for soaking the tapioca for 12 hours/overnight. Are you using instant in this recipe?

Bronwyn

My tapioca didn't say instant on the package, but just in case I simmered them for 15 minutes first. That cooked them completely so I will not do that again. I'm guessing I lost out on flavor.

Scott

Two lessons: First, do not use "Tapioca Granules" even if that's all the market has and the box has a tapioca pudding recipe. Second, do not cook this dish, put in the fridge, and notice the cream that you forgot to add in Step 1. (Double all of this if tapioca pudding is your wife's favorite childhood dessert and she is the creative director of NYT Cooking).

Kylie

This was super easy and delicious. The top never really brûléed even after 10 minutes under broiler, so I gave up and ate it as-is. Still delicious. Will sub this for when I need a quicker option than baked rice pudding!

kate

Very tasty and a hit with the family. I could not find pearl tapioca at any of the grocery stores in my city, eventually ordered Bob's Red Mill online. I would say this serves 4-6 at most. Good with raspberries.

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Baked Tapioca Pudding With Cinnamon Sugar Brûlée Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the little clear balls in tapioca pudding? ›

Looking at a tapioca pearl, you may think, “What are these made out of?” These white little balls that give tapioca pudding its signature texture actually come from the starch of the cassava root, which is grown in the tropics. After this starch is extracted, it's formed into little pearls.

Why did my tapioca pudding not set up? ›

Tapioca Troubleshooting Tips

To keep your tapioca pudding from getting runny, be sure to use whole milk. The fat from the milk is necessary for that creamy texture. For a thicker texture, cook the tapioca pearls a little longer than instructed on your package.

Do you have to soak tapioca pearls overnight? ›

Recipes often say to soak for 12 hours, but you can cut that down to 30 minutes and still achieve the creamy, custard-like texture that makes tapioca pudding so delicious. Soaking is easy! Measure out the tapioca pearls and dump them in a large bowl with 1 quart (950 ml) of water.

How long does tapioca pudding last in the fridge? ›

This tapioca pudding will keep well in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. You can also freeze this pudding in individual airtight containers for up to 3 months.

What is the difference between tapioca pudding and tapioca pearls? ›

Tapioca pudding is historically the most common tapioca dish in the U.S. It's made using tapioca pearls, which are small, white balls with no flavor that are used mostly in sweet recipes. They swim in a sweet, custardy pudding made with milk, eggs, and sugar. Bigger pearls are the star of boba tea, or bubble tea.

Is tapioca pudding good for you? ›

In moderation, tapioca can play a role in a healthful eating plan. People should keep in mind that many tapioca recipes, such as tapioca pudding and bubble tea, have additional calories and fat from added sugar, milk, or cream.

What happens if you eat too much tapioca pudding? ›

When taken by mouth: Tapioca is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. Side effects might include stomach pain, bloating, gas, and vomiting.

What is the hard stuff in tapioca pudding? ›

Small tapioca pearls:The distinguishing ingredient in tapioca pudding, and be sure to buy the small ones for this recipe. They're hard little beads that will cook until tender, thickening the pudding and creating a fun texture.

What are the gel things in tapioca pudding? ›

The gel balls as you call them are simply cooked tapioca starch. Tapioca is a starch extracted from cassava root. It is commonly sold in the USA formed into little balls of various sizes but it's popular in other forms in other countries, particularly tapioca starch and noodles in Asian countries.

Does Jello still make tapioca pudding? ›

Jell-O Fat Free Cook and Serve Tapioca Pudding is an easy to make fat free dessert. Perfect for any occasion that requires a quick and delicious dessert, this tapioca pudding delivers the classic sweet flavor and creamy texture you know and love.

What happens if you don't soak tapioca pearls? ›

Using the tapioca straight out of the bag resulted in a pudding seemed a little “too” stiff (too much starch!). On the plus side, I was surprised that without soaking the tapioca pearls were pretty evenly cooked. This told me that, at least when making tapioca under pressure, you don't have to pre-soak it.

What is the difference between black and white tapioca pearls? ›

As mentioned previously – white, Tapioca pearls are made from either starch, caramel or chamomile extract. However, the more popular Tapioca pearls, which are black are made from starch, sweet potato and/or brown sugar.

How do you know if cooked tapioca is spoiled? ›

Another way to tell if boba is spoiled is by its appearance. When cooked properly, tapioca balls should look plump and chewy with a shiny surface. If they look dry or cracked, they might be old or improperly stored.

Can my dog eat tapioca pudding? ›

Can Dogs Eat Tapioca Pudding? Dogs can consume small amounts of tapioca, such as a topper or as a side dish to their kibble or dog treats; however, dog owners cannot allow this simple carbohydrate source to become a primary element of a dog's diet since large amounts could cause adverse reactions.

Can you eat day old tapioca pearls? ›

Opened, uncooked tapioca pearls should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and be consumed within 7 days. For longer-term storage of opened, uncooked tapioca, pour them into an air-tight glass container, freeze them, and then cook as needed.

What are the bubbles in tapioca? ›

Nowadays, most people refer to the bubble in bubble tea as Tapioca pearls, also known as boba. The yummy and chewy topping known as Tapioca Pearls are made of tapioca flour, water and brown sugar. Tapioca flour, unlike other flours, consists only of starch.

Can you eat tapioca bubbles? ›

The tapioca pearls in bubble tea, also known as bubbles or boba, have a jelly-like texture and are made with tapioca starch, making it completely safe for human consumption. On the other hand, popping bubbles are made from water, fruit juice, sugar, and plant-based Alginic acid, which also makes them safe to eat.

What are boba pearls made of? ›

Boba pearls are made of tapioca starch that comes from the cassava root, so compassionate customers can rest easy knowing that gelatin is not used in the making of these tiny balls of deliciousness.

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