Creamy Vanilla Tapioca Delight
Indulge in the luxurious texture of Creamy Vanilla Tapioca Delight, a dessert that tastes indulgent yet remains light. This delightful pudding features pearl tapioca cooked to perfection, creating small, translucent pearls enveloped in a smooth and creamy vanilla base. Ideal as a comforting dessert for any occasion, it can be prepared with low-fat or whole milk, and offers a unique twist when you substitute in coconut milk for an irresistible tropical flavor. With its simplicity and elegance, this dessert is sure to impress both family and guests. Perfect when served chilled, either plain or adorned with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh fruit, this is a dessert that will leave everyone wanting more.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
pearl tapioca
3/4 cup (soaked in cold water for at least 3 hours or overnight)
cold water
2 cups (for soaking tapioca)
milk
4 cups (heated until steaming, but not boiling)
sugar
2/3 cup (to sweeten the pudding)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (for flavor enhancement)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (to add flavor at the end of cooking)
Instructions
1
Start by soaking the pearl tapioca in cold water for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. This is crucial as it helps the tapioca to soften.
2
In a large saucepan, gently heat 4 cups of milk over medium-low heat until it is steamy, but avoid bringing it to a boil.
3
Drain the soaked tapioca and add it to the hot milk, stirring constantly with a wide flat utensil to prevent sticking and scraping the bottom of the pan.
4
Once the mixture is steaming again, immediately lower the heat to the very lowest setting—this should be lower than the setting used for cooking white rice. You want it just hot enough to see a few vapors rising.
5
Stir the mixture frequently for the first several minutes. After a few minutes, add in the sugar and salt, adjusting with an additional cup of milk if necessary to maintain a consistency similar to cooking oatmeal.
6
Continue to check and stir the mixture every 5 minutes, adding more milk as needed to keep a smooth, creamy consistency.
7
Cook the tapioca for about 45 minutes or until the pearls are fully translucent and there are no white spots in the center. The mixture should have thickened nicely.
8
If you find that the pudding is starting to scorch, promptly transfer the mixture to another pan to prevent burning.
9
Once the pudding has thickened and the tapioca pearls turn translucent, remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
10
Transfer the pudding to a serving bowl or divide it into individual pudding cups. Cover and let it chill in the refrigerator.
11
When ready to serve, garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or fresh fruit. Enjoy your delectable Creamy Vanilla Tapioca Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Vanilla Tapioca Delight?
It is a luxurious dessert featuring pearl tapioca cooked into a smooth and creamy vanilla base that is both indulgent and light.
How long should I soak the pearl tapioca?
You should soak the pearl tapioca in cold water for at least 3 hours, though overnight is preferred.
Can I use different types of milk for this recipe?
Yes, you can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or even coconut milk for a tropical flavor.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to soak 3/4 cup of pearl tapioca in 2 cups of cold water.
Should I boil the milk?
No, you should heat the milk until it is steamy but avoid bringing it to a boil.
How do I prevent the tapioca from sticking?
Stir the mixture constantly with a wide flat utensil, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan.
What temperature should I cook the tapioca at?
Cook it on the lowest possible heat setting, even lower than what is used for cooking white rice.
When do I add the sugar and salt?
Add the sugar and salt after the mixture has been steaming on low heat for a few minutes.
What should the consistency be like while cooking?
The consistency should be similar to cooking oatmeal.
How long does the tapioca need to cook?
It should cook for approximately 45 minutes until the pearls are fully translucent.
How do I know when the pudding is finished?
The pudding is finished when the pearls turn translucent and there are no white spots in the center.
What should I do if the pudding starts to scorch?
Promptly transfer the mixture to another pan to prevent the pudding from burning.
When is the vanilla extract added?
The vanilla extract is stirred in after the pudding has been removed from the heat.
How should the pudding be chilled?
Transfer the pudding to a bowl or individual cups, cover them, and place them in the refrigerator.
What are recommended toppings for this dessert?
Recommended toppings include whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or fresh fruit.
Is this dessert served hot or cold?
This dessert is designed to be served chilled.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 ingredients: pearl tapioca, cold water, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.
Why is soaking the tapioca crucial?
Soaking is crucial because it helps the tapioca pearls soften before the cooking process.
How much sugar is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of sugar.
Can I add extra milk during cooking?
Yes, you can add an additional cup of milk if necessary to maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
What type of utensil is best for stirring?
A wide flat utensil is recommended to prevent sticking and for scraping the bottom of the pan.
What is the main flavor of this pudding?
The main flavor profile is creamy vanilla.
How much tapioca is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of pearl tapioca.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include dessert, pudding, tapioca, vanilla, creamy, sweets, comfort food, easy recipe, and chilled dessert.
Is this recipe considered difficult?
No, it is described as an easy recipe with simplicity and elegance.
How much vanilla extract is needed?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How much milk is needed initially?
The recipe starts with 4 cups of milk.
What texture do the pearls have?
The pearls have a translucent, soft texture enveloped in a creamy base.
Can this be served to guests?
Yes, its simplicity and elegance make it a great dessert to impress family and guests.
What happens if I don't stir frequently?
The tapioca may stick to the bottom of the pan and could potentially scorch.