Arroz con Leche (Mexican Cinnamon Rice Pudding)
Local name: Arroz con leche
In short: Creamy rice pudding simmered with cinnamon and lime zest, sweetened with sugar and served warm or chilled with ground cinnamon. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Arroz con leche is the rice pudding Mexican families make at home for dessert, and a favorite at Christmas. The rice cooks first in water with cinnamon and a strip of lime zest, which keeps the flavor clean, and then simmers slowly in milk until creamy. The pudding thickens a lot as it cools, so stop cooking while it still looks a little loose. Serve it warm in winter or cold from the fridge in summer.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs mostly clear. Put it in a heavy saucepan with the water, cinnamon sticks and lime zest.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is half cooked.
- Add the milk, sugar and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy.
- Stir in the raisins, if using, for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Take out the cinnamon sticks and lime zest.
- Let the pudding cool for 15 minutes, then serve warm, dusted with ground cinnamon. Or chill for 3 hours and loosen with a splash of milk before serving.
Tips
- Stir often, especially toward the end, and use a heavy pot so the milk does not scorch on the bottom.
- For a richer pudding, replace 250 ml (1 cup) of the milk with evaporated milk or cream.
Questions and answers
Why is my arroz con leche too thick?
Rice pudding thickens a great deal as it cools. Stir in a splash of warm milk to loosen it before serving.
Can I use short-grain rice?
Yes. Short-grain rice gives a creamier, stickier pudding, while long-grain, which is more common in Mexico, keeps the grains a little more distinct.
How long does arroz con leche keep?
Up to 4 days, covered, in the fridge. Stir in a little milk when you serve it, since it firms up when cold.
How long does it take to make Arroz con Leche (Mexican Cinnamon Rice Pudding)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Arroz con Leche (Mexican Cinnamon Rice Pudding)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
