This Arroz Con Leche recipe is perfectly creamy & sweet every time! Make it at home using 3 different types of milk that you can enjoy either warm or cold. So good!
Arroz con leche is one of the most popular desserts in Latin America and also one of the only desserts I grew up with in Mexico. My mom wasn't too much into desserts but Arroz con Leche was one of the few we got to enjoy!
What I love the most is that it's so versatile. You can enjoy it cold during the hot weather or warm on cold days. It's truly delicious and refreshing!
How to make Arroz Con Leche
This arroz con leche recipe is made with three different types of milk: sweet condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk. It's super easy to make!
- In a medium saucepan add the condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk. Keep warm over low heat.
- In a separate large saucepan, add the 3 cups of water, salt, lime peel, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil for a couple of minutes.
- Add the rice and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered, stirring once or twice. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Add the warm milk mixture over the rice & raisins, stir, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 30 minutes more stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it to make sure the rice doesn't flow over....I cannot stress this part enough!
- Turn off the heat and remove the cinnamon sticks & lime peel. Let it cool slightly for about 30 minutes
Cook's notes
When you make this Arroz con Leche recipe, there are a few things I want you to consider so your results are better than the standard rice pudding:
- Rinse and wash the rice well to remove the starch. Otherwise the rice will become very dense & sticky.
- By letting the cinnamon boil for a couple of minutes in the water, it will release all of its' flavors more easily. The lime peel is a great acid addition to balance the sweetness of the condensed milk.
- The last 30 minutes of resting time are very important to create the perfect consistency.
- Store the arroz con leche in an air tight container up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- To warm up the arroz con leche after it has been refrigerated you can do it in the microwave or on a stove top. You can add a splash of milk to make it creamy again if needed.
May I suggest these other creamy & sweet recipes? I think you will love these Dulce De Leche Lemon Popsicles & my horchata is to die for!
If you make this Arroz Con Leche, please let me know by leaving a comment below, and be sure to tag @anafriasb on your photos on Instagram so I can see! 🙂
Arroz Con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding)
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk whole or 2%
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 can condensed milk 12 oz
- 3 cups of water
- 1/8 tbsp kosher salt
- The peel of one lime
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 1 cup long-grain white rice rinsed well
- 1/2 cup of raisins optional
- Ground cinnamon for dusting optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add the 3 milks and keep warm over low heat.
- In a separate large saucepan, add the 3 cups of water, salt, lime peel, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil for a couple of minutes.
- Add the rice and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered, stirring once or twice. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Add the warm milk mixture over the rice & raisins, stir, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 30 minutes more stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it to make sure the rice doesn't flow over....I cannot stress this part enough!
- Turn off the heat and remove the cinnamon sticks & lime peel. Let it cool slightly for about 30 minutes
- The Arroz con Leche can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold.
Notes
- Note #1: Rinse and wash the rice well to remove the starch. Otherwise the rice will become very dense & sticky.
- Note #2: By letting the cinnamon boil for a couple of minutes in the water, it will release all of its' flavors more easily. The lime peel is a great acid addition to balance the sweetness of the condensed milk.
- Note #3: The last 30 minutes of resting time are very important to create the perfect consistency.
Nutrition
I made this before and it's so good! Love how creamy it is and this Arroz Con Leche is very flavorful with cinnamon!
Awe Monica this means so much! It is true that the cinnamon flavor is unreal!