Arroz con leche is one of the most comforting and delicious foods, (or drink), I grew up with. It translates to rice with milk and that is exactly what it is. Think of it as a Mexican rice pudding that is very simple but so satisfying. Growing up, my mom would make this arroz con leche in a way that would make it easy for us to drink and eat the rice. Just like many other dishes in Mexican cuisine, arroz con leche can be very different depending on where your family is from. Also, arroz con leche is not just Mexican but there are various other Latin countries that enjoy their own versions of it as well.
When my mom or abuelita make arroz con leche they make it in drink form with milk, rice, cinnamon sticks, and sweeten with condensed milk or sugar. They put enough milk to make sure the rice doesn’t soak it all up and it still remains thin and not like actual rice pudding. I will always remember my abuelita serving me some in a styrofoam cup with a plastic spoon so I could drink the milk and eat the rice at the bottom. It is one of the most comforting and nostalgic drinks that will forever bring memories of my childhood.
All you need to make arroz con leche is milk of choice, rice (I always use long grain), cinnamon sticks, and sugar or sweetened condensed milk. You will cook the rice in some water and cinnamon sticks first. This ensures rice is cooked through and really infuses that cinnamon flavor. Then you will add in the milk and sweetener of choice, simmer for a few minutes, and that’s it! So easy, simple, and delicious. You can certainly use any kind of milk you prefer but I have not tried anything other than regular milk and almond milk. I have also tried using an alternate sweetener like Stevia with success. I highly recommend you try whatever works for you and your lifestyle as this can easily be modified accordingly. Hope you give it a try soon and if you do, please let me know! Enjoy!
Arroz con Leche
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cups milk *see note
- ¼-½ cup sugar sweeten to taste; **see note
Instructions
- Place saucepan over medium low heat and add rice, water, and cinnamon sticks.
- Cover and cook until rice is cooked and water is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add milk and sugar, stir to combine, cover and cook for additional 15 minutes.
- Cook longer for a thicker arroz con leche resembling rice pudding. Add more sugar or sweetener of choice if needed.
Best arroz con leche recipe I’ve found! Delicious! Thank you!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it, Amanda!
Ricardo says
Got here just now looking for something simple and comforting. Doubled the amounts and it was amazing on cold evening. Top stuff! Thank you!
Hello! I am so glad you enjoyed it. Truly a comforting and delicious treat. Thank you!
Joey Hernandez says
Jess,
Thank you for the short but flavorful recipe!
My Mother and Grandmothers are no longer here to make us this delicious treat, but with your easy recipe it was easy to re-create those moments and relive the good times with Mom and Abuelita.
Much love always
Joey Hernandez
Hi Joey, Thanks so much for sharing this! I am so glad this brought back some memories. That’s what it is all about. Thank you for trying the recipe!
Sandra says
So delicious your recipe for my first time everyone loved it. If you have an easy flan recipe I’d love to try it. Exceptional Mija
So glad you gave this a try and everyone loved it! I do have a Flan recipe, you can just search for “Flan” and it will come up for you.
Shaina says
I added a can of condensed milk instead of the sugar and added a bit of vanilla extract. So good!!!
That is always a great alternative to sweeten it too. So glad you enjoyed it!
Addy says
Im trying it but what can I use to replace the cinnamon stixx? Can I use regular cinnamon powder?
The cinnamon stick really adds in the extra flavor of cinnamon, but you can definitely just add in cinnamon powder at the end. I’d start with 1/2 tsp then to taste.
Adrain says
La mejor receta que e visto en mi vida
Muchisimas gracias!
Paola says
Loved this recipe! Very good for a winter night staying in watching movies with the family. Definitely gonna keep using this recipe again! Thank you so much (:
Thank you so much for giving it a try. I am so glad you enjoyed this as much as I do for a good night in with the family!
Liz says
For those of you looking for dairy substitute I would recommend using oat milk as it has the closest resemblance to regular milk. Also using 1 11.25oz can of oat milk sweetened condensed milk gets the sweetenes to petfection.
Thank you for the substitution ideas. That sounds like a great alternative for a dairy-free version.
Felipe Gonzalez says
Got an A+ on assignment cause of this delicious recipe. THANK YOU😃
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for trying it out!
Felipe Gonzalez says
I also liked this cause I’m venezuelan