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Classic arroz con leche is a Mexican variation of rice pudding that is sweetened with condensed milk and topped with cinnamon.
This delicious Mexican dessert is simple to make and a classic rice pudding recipe. If you love cinnamon and love Mexican sweets, you also won’t be able to resist our Mexican Hot Chocolate or Horchata!
What is Arroz con Leche?
Arroz con leche was a dessert that my mom grew up on. My great-grandma made it, and I wanted to find a recipe that tasted just like hers.
Fortunately, I did just that and now have introduced this delicious dessert to my own children. But, what is it exactly?
If you’re not familiar with Mexican rice pudding, arroz con leche translates to rice with milk and can include other ingredients like cinnamon and raisins. The dish also has some sort of sweetener, whether it’s sugar or sweetened condensed milk.
This rice can be served warm or cold, but either way you have it, it’s a tapioca-like treat that is delicious. It can also be served as a breakfast dish too!
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.
SAUCE. 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 constantly. The milk can easily burn, so it is important to stir constantly as it thickens.
ENJOY! Divide rice among serving cups and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.
Topping Suggestions
There are lots of toppings you can add to this easy arroz con leche recipe from fruit to nuts. Here are some of our favorites:
- brown sugar or honey
- raisins, craisins, or dried fruit
- nutmeg or cinnamon
- coconut or chopped nuts
Recipe Tips
Make perfect Mexican sweet rice by starting with the best rice.
Rice. Long-grain white rice works best, brown rice may be used. Jasmine rice or basmati rice are both types of long-grain rice and are great choices for this recipe. For best results, avoid instant rice.
When cooking the rice be sure each piece has time to absorb the milk and becomes a soft and creamy consistency. If all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is not quite done, then add ½ cup water and continue to simmer so that the rice does not come out crunchy.
Make it without sweetened condensed milk. The sweetened condensed milk makes it more rich and creamy, but it can also be omitted. Use a mixture of ¾ cup more milk and ¾ cup sugar instead.
Make it in the slow cooker. We actually have a slow-cooker Rice Pudding on the site. Ingredients aren’t exactly the same, but the taste is very similar.
Variations. Golden and regular raisins are a classic to add to this dish. To use raisins, add them once you are cooking the rice (during the last 20 minutes).
Other additions include some of the toppings we listed above. Various fruits, nuts, and spices will change the recipe and add a bit more flavor.
Storing This Dessert
Make ahead of time. Allow Mexican rice pudding to come to room temperature before pouring it into an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 5-6 days.
FREEZE. It can be frozen, but it may not have quite the same texture once it thaws. Leftover rice pudding can be stored in the same manner.
To reheat. We reheat it in a pot and add a bit more cinnamon to the top before serving. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk when reheating. If you are in hurry you can reheat smaller portions in the microwave.
Recipe FAQ
You’ll want to choose long-grain white rice such as jasmine rice or basmati rice when making arroz con leche. For best results do not use instant rice.
One reason that rice may still be crunchy is that it has not been cooked long enough; another reason is that there was not enough liquid added. If it looks undercooked and dry, add ½ cup water and continue to cook.
For more Sweet Mexican recipes, check out:
Arroz con Leche Recipe
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 constantly. The milk can easily burn, so it is important to stir constantly as it thickens.
- Divide rice among serving cups and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My mom used to fold in egg whites that were beaten frothy. Have you tried it with this recipe? If so, how did it turn out?
Just made it for the first time It’s amazing which helps bc 20 minutes of continuous stirring was the only downside to this recipe. But it is absolutely amazing!! My wife says that I’m going to be making this repeatedly for the foreseeable future. Great recipe
Not sure why you need to be so rude here, but if you want to get technical and be truly honest, this dish originated as a Muslim dish and they brought it when they invaded Spain. THIS recipe is made the traditional Mexican way with regular, evaporated and condensed milks. It is made other ways in other cultures. The Spanish version calls for regular milk only. As my mother would say, “Look it up!”
As a Hispanic I really appreciate this recipe, brings back memories and written so I understand, long story, my Brain don’t work the same.
Thank you for the chance to win cookware! 😍
Easy, affordable, savory authentic Mexican recipe!
i was concerned about the water to rice ratio but gave it a try anyways, it came out so mushy ! would not recommend 😭
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try. Sorry to hear it didn’t turn out for you.
Have made this twice and love it!
Can this recipe be made in an Instant Pot?
I’m sure you probably could. I have never made this specific recipe in the instant pot, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. There is a point where you need to do some stirring while it cooks to avoid burning, which you couldn’t necessarily do in the instant pot. But you could try! If you do, you’ll have to let us know how it turns out.
My husband is diabetic so I subbed the sweetened condensed milk with whole milk as indicated and used Truvia baking blend, which requires 1/2 of the sugar indicated in the recipe. Came out perfect!
Making this right now! Can’t wait to see how this turns out.
Hope you enjoy!!