Portuguese Sweet Rice Arroz Doce

Indulge in the creamy, cinnamon-scented delight of Portuguese Sweet Rice, or Arroz Doce, a traditional dessert that embodies the comfort of home cooking. This luxurious rice pudding is made with short-grain rice simmered to perfection in a fragrant mixture of warm whole milk, a hint of citrus from fresh lemon peel, and the subtle spice of a cinnamon stick. Sweetened with granulated sugar and enriched with velvety egg yolks and a touch of butter, this dessert achieves an irresistibly smooth and luscious texture. Perfectly balanced with a light dusting of ground cinnamon for garnish, it’s a simple yet elegant treat that can be served warm or chilled. Ideal for showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Portugal, Arroz Doce is a must-try for dessert lovers seeking a taste of tradition.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup short-grain rice
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups whole milk
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 lemon peel (from 1 small lemon, cut into large strips)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for garnish)
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the rice and salt, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.

Step 3

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate saucepan over medium heat until warm (do not boil).

Step 4

Once the rice has absorbed the water, stir in the warm milk, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 20-25 minutes or until the rice becomes soft and creamy.

Step 5

Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel from the saucepan.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.

Step 7

Slowly add a few spoonfuls of the hot rice mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.

Step 8

Return the tempered egg mixture to the saucepan and stir continuously for 5 minutes, ensuring the mixture thickens slightly but does not scramble the eggs.

Step 9

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter until fully incorporated.

Step 10

Allow the rice pudding to cool slightly, then transfer to a serving dish or individual bowls.

Step 11

Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top for garnish, creating a decorative design if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm or chilled and enjoy this comforting dessert.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1639.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1561.1

Total Fat 49.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 672.3mg	0%
Sodium 912.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 248.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.2g	0%
Total Sugars 185.9g
Protein 37.2g	0%

Vitamin D 377.0IU	0%
Calcium 1081.1mg	0%
Iron 2.3mg	0%
Potassium 1261.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.1%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 62.5%