Description
This Arroz con Leche Cinnamon Dust Top is a blissful, easy-to-make comfort dessert, a cherished family favorite perfect for cozy movie nights and simple celebrations. Its time-tested method ensures creamy perfection every time, filling your kitchen with a warm, sweet aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup short-grain rice (e.g., Arborio)
- 4 cups milk (whole or 2%, or plant-based milk)
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2–3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon, for dusting
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
- 0.5 cup sweetened condensed milk (optional)
- Pinch freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
- 1–2 star anise pods (optional)
- 2–3 crushed cardamom pods (optional)
- 1 small bay leaf (optional)
- 1 strip orange peel (optional)
- 2–3 whole cloves (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse Rice: Place rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse thoroughly under cold water until the water runs completely clear; this prevents stickiness.
- Simmer Initial Rice: In a heavy-bottomed 3-quart pot, combine rinsed rice, 2 cups water, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the water is mostly absorbed and the rice is slightly swollen (10-12 minutes).
- Add Milk and Sweeten: Stir in milk, sugar, and salt. Cook gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and rice is tender (25-35 minutes), resembling a thick porridge. If too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk.
- Finish and Rest: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Let stand for 5 minutes, as it will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve warm or chilled in individual bowls. Garnish generously with a beautiful Cinnamon Dust Top, using a fine-mesh sieve for even distribution.
Notes
Serve warm or chilled. For a vegan option, use full-fat coconut milk. If too thick, stir in warm milk. Brown rice can be used for added fiber but requires longer cooking (20-30 min) and may alter texture. Short-grain rice (like Arborio) is key for creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 47 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx 200 g)
- Calories: 350 calories
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: arroz con leche, rice pudding, cinnamon, dessert, comfort food, easy recipe, family favorite, sweet, creamy, stovetop