This Puerto Rican style Arroz con Leche is a comforting dessert made with long grain rice, whole milk, butter, brown sugar and spices. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home and comes together in under an hour!

a bowl of arroz con leche

This was inspired by my Arroz con Dulce (Coconut Puerto Rican rice pudding), and has very similar flavors and ingredients.

It’s a Puerto Rican dessert that can also be found Latin countries and other cultures around the world.

Ingredients

Many of the ingredients required for this recipe are common pantry staples in our kitchen. Check out the list below before heading to the grocery store and see what you already have on hand:

  • white rice (I used long grain)
  • water
  • cinnamon sticks
  • cloves
  • nutmeg
  • salt
  • whole milk
  • brown sugar
  • butter
  • ground cinnamon to garnish

See recipe card for quantities.

ingredients to make arroz con leche

Instructions

Variations

There are a few changes you can make to mix things up in this recipe. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

  • Raisins – many traditional Arroz con Leche recipes will include raisins, so feel free to add these in at the same time you add the milk, if you’re into it!
  • Deluxe – add chopped nuts and fresh berries for a fun spin on a breakfast parfait.
  • Dairy free – check out my Arroz con Dulce recipe for a dairy free alternative to this recipe

Storage

Store your arroz con leche in the fridge in an airtight container (I love using these Pyrex bowls with lids) and enjoy within 3-4 days for best results.

This recipe doesn’t stand up well to freezing.

Buen Provecho,

Salima written in cursive
Print
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a bowl of arroz con leche

Arroz con Leche

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican, Latin
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Puerto Rican style Arroz con Leche is a comforting dessert made with long grain rice, whole milk, butter, brown sugar and spices. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home and comes together in under an hour!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup white rice (I used long grain)
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon to garnish

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan combine rice, water, and spices and bring to a boil. Once a boil is reached, cover, lower and cook for 15 minutes.
  2. At this point raise the heat to medium, uncover and add milk, brown sugar, and butter.
  3. Mix everything together in the pot with a spoon or spatula before covering the mixture again and cooking for 20 minutes, continuing to check every five minutes or so to mix things around.
  4. Allow mixture to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving and enjoy!