If you’re not familiar with Mexican rice pudding, arroz con leche translates to rice with milk and includes other ingredients like cinnamon and sweetened condensed milk.
Arroz con leche was a dessert that mom grew up eating. Great-grandma made it, and we wanted to find a recipe that tasted just like hers.
Fortunately, we DID!! We now have introduced this delicious dessert to our children and are happy to report that they love it too.
This rice can be served warm or cold – either way, it’s one delicious tapioca-like treat. It can also be served as a breakfast dish too!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- A favorite Mexican sweet. If you love cinnamon and love Mexican sweets, you also won’t be able to resist our Mexican Hot Chocolate or Horchata!
- An easy treat. This delicious Mexican dessert is simple to make and a classic twist on rice pudding.
- Warm and comforting. Just like Grandma made, we love a cozy cup of pudding!
Arroz con Leche Ingredients
- Water (7 cups): Cooks the rice until tender before adding the milks.
- Long grain white rice (1 cup): The creamy base, soft but with gentle bite. Long-grain such as Jasmine, Basmati, or white rice works best. Avoid instant rice. Use 2 cups of leftover cooked rice. Add the 3 milks and cinnamon and cook on low for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Cinnamon sticks (2): Infuse warm spice directly into the rice while it cooks.
- Sweetened condensed milk (1, 14-ounce can): Sweetens and adds rich, silky body.
- Evaporated milk (1, 12-ounce can): Deep, creamy milk flavor without extra sweetness.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Loosens the mixture to a spoonable, creamy consistency.
- Ground cinnamon, for topping: Finishes with aroma and a pretty dusting. or brown sugar, honey, raisins, craisins, dried fruit, nutmeg, coconut, or chopped nuts
How to Make Arroz Con Leche
RICE. Combine water, rice, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and cook for 16–18 minutes.
SEASON. Drain any remaining liquid, remove the cinnamon sticks, and return the rice to the pan over medium-high heat.
- Add sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. Bring the milk mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. The milk can easily burn, so it is important to stir frequently as it thickens.
- If all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is not quite done, add ½ cup water and continue to simmer so the rice does not come out crunchy.
ENJOY! Divide rice among serving cups and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- For the creamiest best-flavored dish, use the 3 different types of milk listed.
- After adding the milk(s) cook low and slow and stir frequently. This creates an even cook without scorching the bottom.
- Once done, let it cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to thicken.
Arroz con Leche Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 7 cups water
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup whole milk
- ground cinnamon, for topping
Instructions
- Combine water, rice, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and cook for 16–18 minutes.
- Drain any remaining liquid, remove the cinnamon sticks, and return the rice to the pan over medium-high heat. Add sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. The milk can easily burn, so it is important to stir frequently as it thickens.
- Divide rice among serving cups and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.
Notes
- For the creamiest best-flavored dish, use the 3 different types of milk listed.
- After adding the milk(s) cook low and slow and stir frequently. This creates an even cook without scorching the bottom.
- Once done, let it cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to thicken.
- Use a simple cinnamon topping or add your favorite spices, fruits, or nuts.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Make as directed, cool, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat in a pot or slow cooker and add a bit of milk to help smooth the texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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This recipe was originally published April 2019.
I love this. always gets good reviews. the tips are so specific and they always help ensure i get a great batch everytime!!
I’m so glad you love it! It makes me happy to hear the tips are helpful and give you great results every time!
This is my first time making this. My son loves this dessert so I thought I would surprise him. Only thing I added was a little bit of vanilla bean paste. I tried a spoonful when it was done and it’s delish!! This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thank you!
That’s so sweet to surprise your son. The vanilla bean paste sounds like a perfect touch!
This is the first time I have ever made Arroz con Leche and it was a lot of fun. The recipe was easy to follow and the finished product was amazing. Thank you,
That makes me happy to hear! Thanks for sharing.
Arroz con leche is not Mexican it’s Latin my parents are from DR and they made arroz con leche and arroz con dulce all the time and so did my grandparents who never traveled out of DR. Just wanted to everyone to know.
You’re absolutely right! Arroz con leche is indeed a beloved dessert enjoyed across all of Latin America. I hope you enjoy the recipe that my grandparents brought from Mexico as much as you love your family’s traditional version.
Love this comment! I’m Mexican and my parents made this for us. Thanks for sharing.
lol every country has their own version of this dish. It did not only originate in DR. Jamaica and Guyana has their own version that I grew up with as well. All the less, thank you for sharing your countries recipe! Sounds delish!
Can I use cod rice already cooked? I made too much white rice for a party and wanted to do something different with it
Yes, you can use cooked rice! Just reduce the simmer time since the rice is already soft, and add a little extra milk if you need more creaminess. It’s a great way to use up leftovers!
Do you need to rinse the rice before using it
I don’t usually rinse the rice first, but you certainly can. Just be sure to drain it well.
Needs ½c . Raisins
Perfect recipe.
While the Luna women didn’t make this family recipe with raisins, I know that a lot of people do love to include them; stir the 1/2 cup raisins in along with the milks.
Ong the absolute best I top it with McCormick “cinnamon sugar “ the perfect recipe. Couldn’t be any better than this ! Reminds me of my childhood . 100000/10 recommend!!
100000/10 WOW! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe.
I love this recipe! I’ve followed it exactly as is and I have also made it with coconut sweetened condensed milk, evaporated coconut milk, and lactose free whole milk since my husband is lactose intolerant and it’s delicious!
Can u use 2%milk instead of whole.
Yes, though the whole milk will make it more creamy, so it might have a different texture.
I did and it came out perfect !