Creamy Portuguese Arroz Doce (Rice Pudding) Recipe
Arroz Doce is a traditional Portuguese rice pudding that is creamy, comforting, and fragrant with vanilla, lemon rind, and cinnamon. This classic dessert is made by simmering rice with milk and sugar, then thickening it with egg yolks for a rich, smooth texture. It’s perfect as a cozy treat or elegant dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Portuguese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 & 1/4 cups rice
- 1/4 cup sugar (heaping)
- 3 & 1/2 cups milk, hot (plus 3 tbsp cold or room temperature milk)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 pc vanilla bean, sliced down the middle
- Lemon rind (from one lemon)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tsp cinnamon powder (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the rice base: Using a medium to large saucepan, combine 3 1/2 cups of water with 1 tsp salt and stir to dissolve. Add the rice and lemon rind, cover with a lid, and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook the rice: Reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and most water has been absorbed.
- Add milk and vanilla: Pour in 3 1/2 cups of hot milk along with the sliced vanilla bean. Stir well to combine, then cover and continue to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking, until the liquid has reduced and the rice becomes soft and creamy.
- Sweeten the pudding: Stir in the sugar, then cover and bring the mixture back to a gentle boil.
- Temper the egg yolks: Beat the 2 large egg yolks with the remaining 3 tablespoons of cold or room temperature milk. Slowly add a small amount of the hot rice mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper them and prevent curdling.
- Incorporate the egg yolks: Remove the saucepan from heat, discard the lemon rind and vanilla bean, then gradually stir in the tempered yolk mixture, mixing constantly.
- Final cooking: Return the saucepan to low heat, cover, and gently bring the pudding back to a boil while stirring continuously to thicken the mixture further without scrambling the eggs.
- Final adjustments: Taste and adjust sugar if needed. Remove from heat once desired sweetness and consistency are achieved.
- Serve: Transfer the arroz doce into serving bowls, sprinkle the top with cinnamon powder, and serve warm or chilled according to preference.
Notes
- Stir regularly during simmering to prevent the rice from sticking and burning on the bottom.
- Be cautious when tempering the eggs to avoid scrambling.
- The lemon rind adds a subtle citrus aroma but should be removed before serving.
- You can adjust the cinnamon amount on top to taste.
- This dessert can be served warm or chilled depending on personal preference.
Keywords: Arroz Doce, Portuguese Rice Pudding, rice pudding, traditional Portuguese dessert, creamy rice dessert, cinnamon rice pudding
