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arroz con leche recipe

Arroz Con Leche Recipe

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This creamy arroz con leche recipe is rich, cozy, and packed with warm cinnamon flavor. Made with whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and tender rice, this classic Mexican rice pudding tastes even better the next day.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 340

Ingredients
  

For the arroz con leche
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 cup s water
  • 4 cup s whole milk
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 strip lemon peel (about 3 inches, yellow part only)
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Ground cinnamon for serving

Method
 

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs mostly clear. Set aside.
  2. Add the rinsed rice, cinnamon sticks, and 2 cups water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and cook 10 minutes.
  3. Add the whole milk and lemon peel. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not increase heat.
  4. Cook uncovered on medium-low for 20 minutes, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture is visibly thick and creamy.
  5. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Cook 5 more minutes, stirring constantly.
  6. Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peel. Ladle into bowls and dust generously with ground cinnamon. Serve warm or refrigerate with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 9gFat: 10gSodium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29g

Notes

Storage: Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
Reheating: Warm over low heat on the stovetop, stirring in 2 to 3 tablespoons of whole milk to restore creaminess.
Make it dairy-free: Substitute full-fat oat milk for whole milk and sweetened condensed coconut milk for regular condensed milk.
The arroz con leche recipe always thickens more as it cools, pull it off the heat while it looks slightly looser than your target consistency.

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