How to make arroz con leche brings many of us back to warm kitchens and family traditions. This Latin dessert, meaning “rice with milk,” is more than a sweet treat it’s comfort in a cup. Whether you like it thick like pudding or thin enough to sip, this cozy dish is simple and satisfying. In this guide, you’ll learn a recipe that captures the heart of the original while being easy to follow. From cooking tips to family-inspired twists, we’ll show you how to recreate this nostalgic favorite just like abuelita made it warm, sweet, and full of love.
Table of Contents
The Story & Intro – How to Make Arroz con Leche Feel Like Home
Why Arroz con Leche Is Special
How to make arroz con leche is something I learned from my mum and abuelita. It was always in our kitchen when we needed comfort. My abuelita would serve it warm in styrofoam cups with plastic spoons. I’d sip the sweet cinnamon milk first, then scoop the soft rice at the bottom.
We made ours thin and milky not like thick pudding. It was more like a warm drink you eat slowly. My mum always added extra milk so it stayed light and cozy. Learning how to make arroz con leche this way felt like learning to hug someone through food.
Different Families, Different Recipes
Across Mexico and Latin America, every family has their own way of making it. Some make it thick like rice pudding. Others, like us, keep it thin enough to sip. In Puerto Rico, people use coconut milk. In Peru, it’s served with purple corn pudding.
No matter the version, learning how to make arroz con leche starts with a few basics: rice, milk, cinnamon, and sugar. You can change the milk or sweetener, but the love stays the same. It’s easy, affordable, and always comforting.
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How to Make Arroz con Leche: A Comforting Classic
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy and creamy Mexican rice dessert simmered with milk, cinnamon, and sweetener. Perfectly comforting and easy to customize.
Ingredients
1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cups milk (any kind)
1/4–1/2 cup sugar or sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, add rice, water, and cinnamon sticks. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15–20 minutes until water is absorbed.
2. Pour in the milk and add sugar or sweetened condensed milk. Stir gently and bring to a simmer.
3. Let it cook for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
4. If you prefer it thick like pudding, simmer longer. For a drinkable version, add a splash of milk.
5. Remove from heat. Let it cool slightly and serve warm or chilled, garnished with a cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon.
Notes
Use any milk of choice, including almond or oat milk.
You can substitute the sugar with Stevia, monk fruit, or other sweeteners.
Add vanilla extract or orange zest for added flavor.
Top with raisins or sliced fruit if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Drinks
- Method: Simmered
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Step-by-Step Guide – From Pot to Comfort
Start Simple: What You’ll Need
Before learning how to make arroz con leche, gather a few ingredients you likely already have at home. You only need a few basics: long-grain white rice, water, cinnamon sticks, milk of your choice, and something to sweeten it like sugar or condensed milk. Many families use sugar or sweetened condensed milk. Others swap in almond or oat milk, especially for dairy-free versions. The recipe is flexible and forgiving, perfect for beginners or busy cooks.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need:
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cups milk (any kind)
¼–½ cup sugar or sweetened condensed milk
Step-by-Step: How to Make Arroz con Leche
Cook the Rice
In a medium saucepan, add the rice, water, and cinnamon sticks. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
Add the Milk and Sweetener
Stir in the milk, then add your sweetener either sugar or sweetened condensed milk depending on your preference. Stir well. Let it simmer gently for another 15 minutes. Stir often so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Adjust the Texture
Want it thicker, like rice pudding? Let it cook a few minutes longer. Prefer it thinner and drinkable? Add more milk. This part is all about your taste.
Serve and Enjoy
Remove from heat. Let it cool a little before serving. You can enjoy it warm or chilled. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top if you like.
Regional Twists – Arroz con Leche Across Latin America
Different Countries, Different Styles
Once you know how to make arroz con leche the classic way, you’ll notice how much the dish varies depending on where it’s made. In Mexico, it’s often drinkable with a light texture, while in other regions it’s thicker and more dessert-like. This flexibility is part of what makes arroz con leche so loved across Latin America.
In Puerto Rico, arroz con dulce is made with coconut milk, ginger, and cloves. In Peru, it’s paired with a purple corn pudding called mazamorra morada. The Dominican version might include nutmeg or even a splash of rum. Some countries use evaporated milk, others add raisins, orange peel, or vanilla. There’s no single way to make it it all depends on family tradition.
Customizing Your Own Version
The best part about learning how to make arroz con leche is making it your own. Here are some simple ways to make it your own:
- Use coconut milk for a richer, tropical flavor
- Add raisins or dried fruit during the final simmer
- Add a splash of vanilla extract or a bit of orange zest to enhance the flavor.
- Serve it cold with fruit like mango or strawberries
You can even change the sweetener. Try honey, agave, maple syrup, or a sugar-free alternative like Stevia. The goal is to adjust the flavor and texture to fit your taste and dietary needs.
Nutritional Notes – Is Arroz con Leche Healthy?
A Treat That Can Fit Your Lifestyle
If you’re wondering how to make arroz con leche in a way that fits your health goals, the good news is it’s totally doable. Traditionally, arroz con leche is made with whole milk and sugar or condensed milk, which makes it sweet, creamy, and comforting. Yes, it’s higher in calories, but when enjoyed in moderation, it’s a cozy treat that’s worth every spoonful.
One cup offers a good amount of energy-boosting carbs, plus protein and calcium from the milk. It’s a dish you can enjoy after dinner, for dessert, or even at breakfast—especially on chilly mornings when you need something warm.
Healthier Ways to Make It
Learning how to make arroz con leche means you can control what goes in. Here are a few easy ways to lighten things up without losing flavor:
- Use almond or oat milk to reduce fat and calories
- Use natural sweeteners like Stevia or monk fruit as a simple alternative to regular sugar.
- If using condensed milk, cut the amount in half or mix with regular milk
- Add sliced fruit like banana or berries for fiber and natural sweetness
These small changes help you make arroz con leche that’s just as comforting but better suited to your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned how to make arroz con leche, you’ve got more than just a recipe you’ve got a connection to tradition. Whether you prefer it creamy and thick or light enough to sip, this dessert brings comfort in every bite. It’s simple, flexible, and easy to make your own, whether you’re adding coconut milk, adjusting the sweetness, or making it dairy-free.
More than anything, arroz con leche is about sharing. It’s a dish made to warm hearts, bring back memories, and be passed down just like my abuelita did. So grab your cinnamon sticks, stir gently, and enjoy every cozy spoonful.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between rice pudding and arroz con leche?
While both are creamy rice-based desserts, arroz con leche is made by slowly simmering raw rice with milk, cinnamon sticks, and sugar or condensed milk. It’s often served thinner, especially in Mexican households, and has a more drinkable consistency. Rice pudding, on the other hand, is often made with eggs and cream or baked until set, creating a thicker, custard-style consistency.
How to make rice and milk?
If you’re wondering how to make arroz con leche, the basic steps start here. Cook rice with water and a cinnamon stick until tender. Then add milk and a sweetener. Simmer the mixture until it thickens slightly. This classic method transforms simple ingredients into a cozy dessert you can enjoy hot or cold.
How healthy is arroz con leche?
How to make arroz con leche in a healthier way is simple. Choose low-fat or plant-based milk, use less sugar, or substitute with natural sweeteners. This way, the dish remains comforting while being a little lighter. It still provides energy, calcium, and protein great for an occasional treat or even a special breakfast.
How to make rice, milk, and cream dessert?
To make a richer version of arroz con leche, swap some of the milk for cream. Use 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, then follow the same cooking process. If you’re exploring how to make arroz con leche with a thicker texture, this is the perfect variation for a more indulgent experience.