Arroz de Leche: Traditional Colombian Rice Pudding
Arroz de Leche (Colombian Rice Pudding) is a deeply comforting, creamy dessert beloved across Latin America. Known for its rich flavor and highly accessible ingredients, it is the ultimate sweet treat to end a hearty meal. Whether served steaming hot on a rainy afternoon or perfectly chilled on a warm coastal night, it is guaranteed to hit the spot.
The secret to this traditional dessert is cooking the rice slowly until the grains burst and absorb the liquids completely. By simmering the rice first in a water and milk blend, then finishing it with more milk, sugar, and cinnamon, you achieve a beautifully thick, velvety texture. This 40-minute recipe is foolproof and perfect for sharing!
Arroz de Leche (Colombian Rice Pudding)
The ultimate creamy Latin American dessert! A comforting, rich rice pudding slowly simmered with milk, cinnamon, and sweet raisins.
Ingredients
- ½ cup White rice washed and previously soaked
- 1 ¼ Liters Milk approx. 5 1/4 cups, divided
- 750 ml Water approx. 3 cups
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- ½ lb Sugar approx. 1 cup, or to taste
- ½ cup Seedless raisins
- A pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Start the liquid base: In a large pot, mix the 750 ml of water with about 750 ml of the milk. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook the rice: Add the washed and soaked white rice to the boiling liquid. Let it cook over medium heat until the rice grains burst and soften completely.
- Thicken and flavor: Once the rice is soft, pour in the remaining milk, the sugar, the cinnamon sticks, and the raisins. Lower the temperature to a gentle simmer. You must stir constantly to prevent sticking and burning until the pudding reduces and reaches your desired creamy thickness.
- The flavor enhancer: Once thickened to your liking, remove from the heat and stir in a small pinch of salt. This completely elevates and balances the sweetness of the dessert.
- Serve: This versatile dessert can be served and enjoyed hot right out of the pot, or refrigerated and eaten cold!
Video
Notes
- A Holy Week Classic: While enjoyed throughout the entire year, Arroz de Leche is traditionally prepared in massive batches during Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Colombia to share with extended family, friends, and neighbors.
- Better Sleep: Cow’s milk contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that acts as a precursor to serotonin, which helps aid relaxation and promotes better sleep—making this the perfect nighttime dessert!
- Heart Healthy: Rice is a fantastic cereal that naturally contains a very low presence of fat, zero cholesterol, and minimal sodium, helping to maintain a balanced diet.
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