Creamy Tapioca Vanilla Pearls (Printable)

Velvety tapioca pearls cooked in vanilla milk, topped with fresh berries for a comforting treat.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Tapioca Mixture

01 - 1/2 cup small pearl tapioca
02 - 2 1/2 cups whole milk or dairy-free alternative
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Sweetener and Flavor

04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Finish and Topping

06 - 2 large egg yolks (optional, for richness)
07 - 1 cup fresh mixed berries or sliced fruit (e.g., strawberries, mango, kiwi)

# How To Make:

01 - Place tapioca pearls in a medium saucepan. Add milk and salt, and let soak for 30 minutes.
02 - Heat the saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently and bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
03 - Add sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until tapioca pearls become translucent and mixture thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks with a few spoonfuls of hot tapioca mixture. Gradually stir tempered yolks back into the saucepan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
05 - Remove from heat and stir in pure vanilla extract.
06 - Pour pudding into serving dishes. Allow to cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
07 - Just before serving, top with fresh mixed berries or sliced fruit of choice.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • Those tender pearls transform into something almost luxurious with almost no effort on your part.
  • It's the kind of dessert that feels indulgent but comes together in less than an hour, leaving your kitchen smelling like vanilla and possibility.
02 -
  • The soaking step is non-negotiable; skip it and you'll end up with crunchy pearls that ruin the whole experience.
  • If you're tempering eggs, patience is everything—add that hot milk drop by drop at first, or you'll create scrambled egg soup instead of silky richness.
03 -
  • Toast the tapioca pearls in a dry pan for two minutes before soaking—it adds a subtle nuttiness that no one can quite identify but everyone notices.
  • If your pudding breaks or separates, strain it through cheesecloth and whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch slurry; it won't be perfect but it'll still taste like love.
Go Back