Mine curdled as well, it was nice and creamy until I added the apples and baked it.
From EatingWell: October 1997, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004)
Whether you're partial to the fragrant maple and apple goodness warm from the oven or prefer it cold and luxuriously creamy, this simple rice pudding is pure comfort. A teakettle makes neat work of the hot water bath.





Mine curdled as well, it was nice and creamy until I added the apples and baked it.





I don't know what I did wrong, but the pudding did not come out creamy. It has more of a curdled look to it, with sold egg pieces and water at the bottom. And yes, I did the tempering step.