This dish is creamy, sweet, and made with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen! So sign us up!
You have likely had rice pudding before, but never like this! Arroz doce is Portuguese rice pudding – its name translates to ‘sweet rice’ in English. The dish takes traditional rice pudding to another level with the help of cinnamon, lemon zest … and a little Latin flair.
Today’s arroz doce dates all the way back to the thirteenth century when cane sugar from India reached Europe via the Middle East. Since then, it has been lovingly embraced and has become a popular dessert in Portuguese households, especially during Christmas, Sunday lunches, and weddings. It is a staple dessert in Portugal with the recipe being handed down from generation to generation.
However, the recipe is not one of those kept under lock and key as a family secret. It’s below for you to make yourself with ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry. You will love this recipe because it’s easy, simple, and sweet! It’s a dessert for any occasion you can think of, in fact, some say it’s even good for when you’re sick because it’s a comfort food that also puts some pep in your step thanks to the sweetness!
The secret for the perfect arroz doce…
The key here is thickness. Thick is the trick! It is what really separates arroz doce from the thin, out-of-the-can rice pudding. The pudding will thicken as it cools, but for extra thickness, you can whisk in a beaten egg while the pudding is warming and keep cooking until it’s nice and thick. When you think it’s thick enough, pick some up on a spoon and let it drop. If it briefly holds its shape before falling off the spoon, it’s thick enough!
How to Make Ahead and Store?
After you make your pudding, put it in an airtight container and place in the fridge. Refrigeration will make it firm, so heat it back up in a pan over low heat. Stir gently until hot all the way through. Let it set and then decorate with cinnamon before serving. Arroz doce should last in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Arroz doce is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with fruit like fresh or stewed apples because of the pudding’s cinnamon flavor. Cinnamon also pairs with pears!
If you’re interested in trying out some other rice pudding recipes, then take a look at this Baked Rice Pudding, this Vanilla and Raspberry Rice Pudding or maybe this Slow Cooker Rice Pudding Brûlée.
Arroz Doce Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 1 cup short grain white rice such as Arborio
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 strip lemon zest
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
InstructionsÂ
- In a large saucepan, combine the rice, water, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the milk and sugar, and continue to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks. Take a spoonful of the hot rice mixture and slowly whisk it into the egg yolks to temper them.
- Gradually stir the tempered egg yolks back into the saucepan with the rice mixture.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, until the pudding is creamy and slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and discard the lemon zest and cinnamon stick.
- Pour the pudding into a serving dish or individual bowls. Allow to cool slightly, then sprinkle with ground cinnamon to taste.
- Serve warm or chilled, as preferred.
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