Arroz con Leche

Name: Arroz con Leche
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1 cup short-grain rice (bomba or arborio); 4 cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cinnamon stick; Zest of 1 lemon, in wide strips; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; Ground cinnamon for dusting

Published: June 29, 2026 | Spanish Cuisine | ⏱ 45 min

Creamy arroz con leche with cinnamon dusting in a ceramic bowl

Arroz con leche is Spain's most cherished comfort dessert — creamy rice slowly simmered in sweetened milk with cinnamon and lemon zest. This humble pudding transforms simple pantry ingredients into something magical. Every Spanish grandmother has her own version, and this one captures that home-made warmth.

Recipe Info

Prep Time5 min

Cook Time40 min

Total Time45 min

Servings6

DifficultyEasy

CuisineSpanish

1 cup short-grain rice (bomba or arborio)
4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick
Zest of 1 lemon, in wide strips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Ground cinnamon for dusting

2 Instructions

Infuse the milk

Combine milk, cream, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Cook the rice

Add rice, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 35-40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. The rice should be very tender and the mixture creamy.

Sweeten and flavour

Remove cinnamon stick and lemon zest. Stir in sugar and vanilla extract. Cook for 2 more minutes.

Serve

Pour into serving bowls. Dust generously with ground cinnamon. Serve warm or chilled.

Pro Tips

Stir frequently, especially toward the end, to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
The pudding thickens as it cools, so remove it from the heat while still slightly runny.
Bomba rice is ideal for its ability to absorb liquid while remaining creamy.

Nutrition Information

Calories	310 kcal
Protein	7g
Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	8g
Carbohydrates	44g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	28g
Sodium	100mg

* Nutritional values are approximate and based on per-serving calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short-grain rice is traditional and gives the creamiest texture. Long-grain will work but will not be as creamy.

Yes. Substitute the milk and cream with full-fat coconut milk or almond milk. The flavour will differ but will still be delicious.

Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.5 (132 votes)

About the Author

Stephanie Grine

Recipe Developer & Food Enthusiast

I am a passionate home cook who believes that great food brings people together. Every recipe on TodayFoodsMenu is developed, tested, and photographed in my home kitchen — not a professional test...

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