Sweet and with a hint of citrus, this creamy rice pudding recipe (arroz con leche) has been in my family for ages. It is easy to make and keeps refrigerated for several days. We like it cold dusted with ground cinnamon, but you can eat it at room temperature or even warm.
This is the rice pudding recipe I grew up with, and it's still one of my favorite rice desserts, with its creamy texture and cinnamon flavor.
It's comfort food at its best. A subject that can only evoke good memories.
It's a classic recipe with a twist, served with cinnamon and eaten cold on hot summer days or barely warm on chilly nights.
What is rice pudding?
It's a cooked dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar as its main ingredients.
This recipe is a creamy stovetop pudding that comes together easily.
It hails from the Spanish side of the family and is called arroz con leche, which literally translated to rice with milk. It's sweetened with sugar and flavored with citrus peel, cinnamon, and sometimes vanilla.
Now, there are a million and one different recipes, from countries around the world. Each with its unique twist.
Ingredient list
- White rice: long grain rice is the most commonly used, but it depends a lot on the country. I use a short ot medium-grain rice that makes a very creamy pudding.
- Whole milk.
- Cinnamon: any ground cinnamon you normally use works fine. I like Frontier Vietnamese cinnamon and Simply Organic Ceylon cinnamon.
- Sugar: white, granulated.
- Citrus: I like to use both lemon and orange peel. But it works with just one.
- Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract or pure vanilla bean paste when available, but a good vanilla essence (artificially flavored) also works and is infinitely cheaper.
- Cream (optional): whipping or heavy whipping.
See the recipe card towards the end of this post for quantities.
Kitchen Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperatures, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier!
- Rice: in theory, you can make this dessert with different types - short grain, long grain rice, even Arborio or basmati rice. I like short grain rice because it absorbs the liquid better in my experience.
- Cream: this is an optional ingredient not found in the original recipe for Spanish arroz con leche, that you can use for a creamier consistency. Depending on the rice you use you might get a more or less starchier pudding. So using a dash of cream can be a good idea.
- Storing: keep leftover rice pudding in the fridge for at least a week in an airtight container or tightly covered bowl. It might become thicker and you might want to add more milk before eating it.
Variations & substitutions
- Brown sugar: use instead of white for a darker tone and slight caramel flavor.
- Raisins: adding them adds sweetness and chewiness. Add up to half a cup during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Regular and golden raisins, both work.
- Pinch of salt: add a little sea salt at the end for a more sophisticated dessert.
- Other sweeteners: use less sugar and add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup or honey before serving.
- Other spices: you can use nutmeg in addition to cinnamon, cardamom pods, maybe some anise stars. Warm spices go very well with this dessert.
- Risotto rice: some people like to use carnaroli or arborio rice and love it. I find the pudding has less bite as the rice is meant to be creamier and can sometimes turn a bit mushy.
- Chocolate rice pudding: add some chocolate chips or chopped chocolate when you remove the saucepan from the stove. Depending on your preference, you can partially (a few stirs) or fully melt them (stir until it's all the same color).
How to make rice pudding
It's a stovetop rice pudding recipe that has two parts: half the milk is cooked with sugar, and the other half with rice and flavorings.
They are then mixed and when the rice is done, a dash of cream is added. Even without the cream, it is a rich dessert.
What this rice pudding recipe does not have are egg yolks.
Combine half the milk, the rice, and flavorings (cinnamon stick and citrus peel). They will infuse their flavor into the liquid.
Add the other half of the milk, that has been simmering with sugar and has thickened a little, to the rice mixture.
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir frequently until the milk is absorbed and the rice is tender to your liking.
Stir the cream at the end if you want a creamier consistency.
Vintage Kitchen tip: some people like it al dente (al dente) and others very cooked. It's your call. Start checking for doneness at 15 minutes or so after you add the sugared milk.
Serving rice pudding
- Cold with cinnamon: this is the traditional way and I still think it's the best.
- Dulce de leche: being from Argentina, we eat this sweetened milk jam whenever possible. Adding a few tablespoons of dulce de leche is what we do here. If you like sweet desserts, you have to try this variation.
- Fruit: you can use berries on top with a touch of honey or maple syrup.
Related recipes you might like:
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PrintSpanish Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche)
Creamy, sweet, and with a hint of citrus, this is the best rice pudding recipe that has been in my family for ages. It's a comforting dessert that's easy to make and keeps refrigerated for several days. We serve it cold dusted with ground cinnamon, but it's also good at room temperature with fresh fruit.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- Scant ½ cup sugar
- â…” cup white rice (I use short grain rice but medium grain rice also works)
- 1 strip lemon peel
- 1 strip orange peel
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- ¼ cup cream, optional (see Notes below)
- Ground cinnamon, to serve
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring half of the milk and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often. The mixture will start to thicken.
- In another medium saucepan, put the rest of the milk, the cinnamon stick and citrus peel and bring to a boil.
- Add the uncooked rice to the second saucepan, lower the heat, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir the sugared milk into the saucepan with the rice and cook until the rice is done to your taste, stirring often to avoid it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. For me, it takes 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the cream, if using.
- Transfer the hot rice pudding to a bowl, take out the citrus peel and cinnamon stick, let cool down stirring often to avoid a thick layer from forming, cover, and refrigerate until very cold.
- To serve, ladle the pudding into bowls and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. You can add an extra tablespoon of cream or milk before serving.
Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperatures, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier!
- Rice: in theory, you can make this dessert with different types - short grain, long grain rice, even Arborio or basmati rice. I like short grain rice because it absorbs the liquid better in my experience.
- Cream: this is an optional ingredient not found in the original recipe for Spanish arroz con leche, that you can use for a creamier consistency. Depending on the rice you use you might get a more or less starchier pudding. So using a dash of cream can be a good idea.
- Storing: keep leftover rice pudding in the fridge for at least a week in an airtight container or tightly covered bowl. It might become thicker and you might want to add more milk before eating it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: â…“
- Calories: 371
- Sugar: 46 g
- Sodium: 108.2 mg
- Fat: 11.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 58.6 g
- Fiber: 0.9 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 35.7 mg
Lane says
I've never had rice pudding. Love that the milk is infused with citrus. Sounds great.
Megan Wood says
I've never had rice pudding but this sounds like something that I would love. I will have to make this sometime. Thank you for sharing your memories with us!
Tammi says
I've never made rice pudding! It sure looks good, maybe that means I need to give it a shot! Thanks for sharing your memory!
Brandie @ Home Cooking Memories says
I've never had rice pudding before, but this does look like a dish that would be very comforting. I love that this has a special memory for you.
Heather Lynne says
Rice pudding is totally a comfort food for me...I love the cinnamon on top!
diabeticFoodie says
Would you believe I never had rice pudding growing up? I love that you add cinnamon and citrus to yours. Yum!
Guru Uru says
Cinnamon must add that delicious extra kick 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
yummychunklet says
I love rice pudding. Yours looks delicious.
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
It's amazing how certain dishes can transport us to another time. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Camilla says
My mum and her sisters used to make this too and I think we even had semolina with cinnamon on top too, real trip down memory lane!
the Wimpy Vegetarian says
Rice Pudding is totally the best comfort food. I love, love, love it. I love your touch of warming cinnamon too 🙂
Wendy Wofford-Garcia says
I love rice pudding, but have never had it cold...my MIL serves it sort of warm. I think it would be fabulous chilled, though. I think I need to make some of this!
Chocolate Shavings says
Love the touch of cinnamon on this - yum!
FamilySpice says
I used to have rice pudding, just like this, when I was a kid! And the sad thing is I never made it for my kids.
Jen @Juanitascocina says
This brings back so many childhood memories!
Your photos are simply stunning Paula!
Alex says
Rice pudding (arroz doce) is one of my favourite winter comfort desserts. 🙂
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Mmmm...beautiful, Paula! Rice pudding is definitely classic comfort food. It is my husband's favorite, actually. It brings him straight back to his childhood. I love your addition of citrus zest. Have a fantastic Sunday!
Renee Dobbs says
My dad loved rice pudding and your post has brought back some wonderful memories for me. Thank you so much for sharing it today.
Baker Street says
I love that dusting of cinnamon on top! This looks incredible, Paula! Just my kinda treat. 🙂
Lizzy Do says
Favorite dishes from one's childhood bring much comfort...and this is certainly a winner! Beautifully done, Paula!!! Happy #Sunday Supper!