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A closer shot of how to serve Portuguese sweet rice pudding traditionally, with powdered cinnamon on top.
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5 from 1 vote

Arroz Doce Recipe (Portuguese Rice Pudding)

Portuguese Rice Pudding (Arroz Doce) is a beloved traditional dessert found in kitchens across Portugal.  Creamy and delicately flavored, it's made with simple pantry ingredients and is served all year-round, especially during Christmas and holiday celebrations.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: portuguese
Servings: 8
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Neriz

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 & 1/4 cups rice
  • 1/4 cup sugar, heaping
  • 3 & 1/2 cups milk, hot (plus 3 tbsp, cold or room temperature)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 pc vanilla bean, sliced down the middle
  • lemon rind
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 tsp cinnamon powder

Instructions

  • Using a medium to a large-sized saucepan, combine 3 1/2 cups of water with salt and mix.  
  • Add the rice and lemon rind, cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
  • Simmer until rice is cooked.  This generally takes 20 minutes.
  • Add the 3 & 1/2 cups of hot milk and the vanilla pod. 
  • Mix to combine, then cover and continue simmering until the liquid has reduced and the rice turns soft and creamy (about 20 to 30 minutes).  Stir regularly the entire time.
  • Add sugar and mix.  Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
  • Temper egg yolks with the remaining milk (not hot!) and beat with a fork.
  • Remove the sweet rice from the heat and take the rind and the vanilla bean out.
  • Add the tempered yolks slowly while stirring constantly.
  • Bring the Portuguese rice pudding saucepan back on the heat, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil.
  • Taste and adjust the sugar, as desired.
  • Remove from the heat and transfer to serving bowls.
  • Decorate the top of arroz doce with cinnamon powder.
  • Serve.

Notes

  • Cook's Tip:  Do not forget to temper the yolks with cold (or room temperature) milk before adding to the sweet rice.  It ensures that you will not cook the yolks when you add them to the simmering pudding.
  • Refer to the post for more tips and suggestions.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 340mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 1mg