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You are here: Home / Christmas / Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)

By Karina 31 Comments Filed Under: Christmas

Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)

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Easy and deliciously creamy Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche) is a no fail one pot recipe with minimal ingredients and only 3 steps! An old reader favourite.

Creamy, soft rice pudding filled with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon and juicy sultanas (raisins). The ultimate comfort food! Find out how to make old fashioned rice pudding right at home with our popular family recipe. It gets rave reviews from everyone we serve it to.

The best rice pudding recipe you’ll ever eat!

Rice Pudding | https://cafedelites.com

Old fashioned rice pudding

When made the wrong way, rice pudding can be bland, lacking in flavour and awful in texture — but the way my Colombian mother taught me is a no fail recipe for a successfully creamy pudding so full of flavour. While filling, it’s so addictive that one bowl is never enough.

How To Make Rice Pudding

Since posting this recipe over four years ago, we have seen some interesting recipes for rice pudding. Some use water instead of milk, or rinse the rice before cooking, or even add eggs into a cream mixture. Others call for two or three pots? *Insert shrug*

I like to stick with what has worked in my family for decades… an easy recipe passed on to my mother from generations above her. Our pudding (or Arroz Con Leche) is so easy! Throw all ingredients into a pot, and stir occasionally while cooking until perfectly thick and creamy.

The starch that releases into the milk from the rice ensures the unforgettable creamy texture.

Rice Pudding | https://cafedelites.com

Ingredients for rice pudding

With a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you’re minutes away from the best pudding of your life.

  • Medium grain rice — adds just the right amount of creaminess. Do not use long grain rice or short grain in this recipe, as the texture will be altered.
  • Milk instead of cream or water. You can use full fat, low fat or skim. Almond milk also works.
  • White sugar — regular or super fine. A good quality sweetener can be used to replace sugar if you wish (Swerve or Natvia).
  • Ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick. Personally, I prefer ground cinnamon.
  • Pure vanilla extract provides the right taste in the cream. Please don’t be tempted to use vanilla essence.
  • Raisins (Sultanas) are optional. You could replace them with chopped dates or leave out the fruit if you wish.
  • Condensed milk — my mother’s secret weapon. It adds that something extra to the flavour to the pudding.
  • Unsalted butter. The one ingredient that will never be optional for us. Try it. You’ll see what I mean.

Rice Pudding | https://cafedelites.com

Can you make rice pudding with cooked rice?

You, you can, but you will need another recipe for that version. This recipe is made from scratch and is much creamier and tastier than cooked rice versions, as the rice is being cooked right in the cinnamon and vanilla flavours added into the milk.

We always make sure there are some leftovers for breakfast…hot or cold.

Rice Pudding | https://cafedelites.com

From my house to yours, enjoy….

Love desserts? Try these!

Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rice Pudding Now On Video!

Rice Pudding | https://cafedelites.com

Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)

Deliciously creamy rice pudding (arroz con leche) is a no fail EASY one pot recipe with minimal ingredients and only 3 steps! Find out how to make old fashioned rice pudding right at home with our popular family recipe. It gets rave reviews from everyone we serve it to.
PRINT SAVE go to your favorites
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 20 mins
Serves: 8 serves

Ingredients

  • 6 cups milk, (full fat, low fat or skim)
  • 1 cup medium grain rice
  • 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup raisins (or sultanas) (optional)
  • 1/2 cup condensed milk (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine the milk, rice, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and raisins (sultanas) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, mixing occasionally.
  • Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally while scraping the base and sides of the pan with a wooden spoon, until thick and creamy (about 15-20 minutes). 
  • Once rice is soft and cooked through, mix in the condensed milk and butter. Add 1/4 cup extra milk ONLY if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
  • Pour the rice among serving bowls; sprinkle with extra ground cinnamon (or cinnamon sugar), and raisins (or sultanas). 
    Serve immediately.

Notes

© 2014 Cafe Delites. All rights reserved. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please provide a link back to this post for the original recipe

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 1.5mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tamara says

    December 27, 2020 at 4:43 am

    5 stars
    This is it! Used to go to this restaurant when I was a little girl and ordered the rice pudding every time. I’ve been searching for a similar recipe ever since. Forty years later my search is over. I think the condensed milk was the secret ingredient. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    November 08, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    The Best Rice Pudding I ever made. So easy and delicious

    Reply
  3. Lidia Kobal says

    May 27, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    Hi I’m just about to make this recipe, I will let you know how it turned out. It’s my first time
    Thank you for sharing
    Lidiap

    Reply
  4. Kara Tesoriero says

    November 28, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    I did this recipe exactly and my rice came out underdone. The creaminess and flavors were there but the rice was still a little crunchy. Not sure why that happened but I gave this recipe a 5 because I’m sure if the rice was cooked it would be amazing and I think Somehow Thats my fault

    Reply
    • Christina Davis says

      April 26, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      IT was the same for me and it took a long time to thicken. I ended up cooking it about double the time it called for.

      Reply
  5. Ginny Reicker says

    November 25, 2019 at 12:30 am

    This is the third recipe that I have tried. First two failed. Thanks for sharing as it turned out wonderful. I didn’t add the condensed milk or butter and it was great.

    Reply
  6. Alexandra McGrath says

    November 18, 2019 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe. Is that calorie count for 1 serving? Or for the entire 8?

    Reply
    • Brian S says

      March 06, 2020 at 2:18 am

      One serving.

      Reply
  7. vivian latham says

    April 29, 2019 at 8:59 am

    5 stars
    can this recipe be made in a slow cooker. thanks vivian

    Reply
  8. Ingrid says

    March 24, 2019 at 7:19 am

    I just made this for my Colombian parents and they loved it! My Dad’s family sprinkles Cotija cheese on it and it is delicious! Thanks for sharing a wonderful recpe!

    Reply
  9. Crystal Gribling says

    March 01, 2019 at 2:04 am

    My family loved this, very simple but delicious rice pudding.

    Reply
  10. Jennifer Diaz says

    January 29, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    5 stars
    Adding line zest is also good.

    Reply
  11. Monique Gutierrez says

    November 26, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good! I made this for my husband today. Half way through I was “OMG! This is alot of milk.” But it turned out awesome! It thickened up towards the last 5 min and as it cooled. ? I used 2% milk and Mexican blend vanilla to add to the warm feeling. Tastes like Christmas! Picky-eater Husband approved. Thank you for this. ???

    Reply
  12. EARL HOLDER says

    November 02, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    Yours sounds good. I make mine with 2 and a half cups half and half and two and a half cups 4 percent milk. I bake mine in the oven in a pan of water. Mom did it that way. I will have to try yours on stove top. I always scald the milk and half and half…

    Reply
  13. florencio alicea says

    October 31, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    Do you recommended rinsing the rice first?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 31, 2018 at 5:56 pm

      I like to but that is just a preference and not necessary.

      Reply
  14. Eleni says

    October 28, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Could this be done in the crockpot at all?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 28, 2018 at 11:43 pm

      I have not tried it in the crock pot yet. Let me know how you like it! XO

      Reply
  15. Sara says

    October 12, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    What will long grain rice do to the texture because that’s all I have

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 12, 2018 at 4:49 pm

      It will change it a bit but it will still taste great!

      Reply
  16. Ingrid says

    October 05, 2018 at 2:26 am

    I’m Colombian and my dad LOVES rice pudding!! I’ve never seen this recipe but it sounds like my long gone Abuelita’s recipe! I’ll be making this one for sure! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 05, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      That is great to hear! Thank you for sharing! Enjoy your pudding!

      Reply
  17. Kathleen says

    October 04, 2018 at 5:30 pm

    The condensed milk you use, is that sweetened condensed milk?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 08, 2018 at 8:22 am

      Sweetened condensed milk would be great. It is optional so if you do not have it you can leave it out too. XO

      Reply
  18. marie birchby says

    October 04, 2018 at 12:30 am

    I love rice pudding, can’t wait to try this recipe.?

    Reply
  19. Jane says

    October 04, 2018 at 12:13 am

    Do you use Eagle Brand condensed milk or evaporated milk?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      October 08, 2018 at 8:34 am

      I use the Eagle Brand Condensed Milk. Hope that helps! XO

      Reply
  20. Savannah says

    May 31, 2015 at 6:08 am

    Do you think this will be okay in the fridge for a couple days?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      June 05, 2015 at 9:30 am

      Yes! It’s fine when we refrigerate them up to 2 days 🙂

      Reply
  21. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    December 19, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    I love rice pudding.. and it definitely brings back many childhood memories. Thanks for reminding me how delicious it is Karina, I must make this cinnamon and raisin rice pudding this Christmas!

    Reply
    • Karina says

      December 26, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      Oh youre very welcome Thalia! Xx

      Reply

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