Arroz Doce (Portuguese rice pudding)

Arroz Doce is a Portuguese rice pudding that is thick, creamy, sweet and served semi-set with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon.

I LOVE rice pudding. Not so much the thin, out of-the-can gloop, no, I love the home-made stuff that slowly fills the house with a warm, sugary scent long before it’s ready to eat.

So, when we decided to have a go at creating a dish from Portugal, I knew straight away what I had to make: Arroz Doce!

I should confess, I’m not Portuguese and no one with official knowhow has taste-tested this recipe, but I’ve made many a rice pud, and I researched carefully to tweak my recipe to make it true to the Portuguese method.

Most importantly, I’ve tasted it, in fact, I’ve eaten masses of it, and I think it’s flippin’ lovely, so I’m going to go ahead and share it with you.

Instructions

Put the rice and lemon rind in a large pan.

Cover with the boiling water.

Bring up to the boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Strain off the excess liquid through a sieve, then return the rice to the pan and add the milk.

Heat on medium-low until bubbling, then stir in the sugar and salt.

Bring almost up to the boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook without the lid this time, stirring very regularly for about 10 minutes

Whisk your egg yolks with a few spoonfuls of the rice so that it doesn’t scramble.

Stir the eggs into the pot.

Now it’s a game of patience, keep heating and it will thicken - remember to stir well every now and then so that it doesn't burn. After 30-40 minutes you’ll have lovely thick, creamy rice pudding

When you think it's thick enough, pick some up on your spoon and let it drop. If it briefly holds its shape before dolloping off the spoon, it's thick enough and will thicken more as it cools!

Ladle your pudding onto a large platter and leave to set for a few minutes

Using a pinched thumb and forefinger, carefully sprinkle on your crosshatch cinnamon pattern, or any design you fancy.

Once completely cooled, the pudding will have firmed up enough to serve by the spoonful. DIVINE!

I really hope you try this, and I hope my Portuguese readers will be kind in their judgement! Have you tried Arroz Doce before?

More tips and ideas to get the perfect Arroz Doce

What I especially love about rice puddings is the global variation - you can find rice pudding recipes almost everywhere you can find people.

With this in mind here are some tips and tricks for getting the perfect rice pudding, along with inspiration on flavour ideas from around the world.

Is Arroz Doce easy to make?

It really couldn't be easier to make Arroz Doce. The only skill required is patience as you gently heat and stir the rice pudding to perfection.

Will I need any special equipment to make Arroz Doce?

No special kit is needed to make Portuguese rice pudding. All you really need is a pan, a spoon and some patience!

Where can I buy arborio rice?

Arborio rice is stocked by pretty much all supermarkets and you should find it in the rice aisle. You might also find it labelled "risotto rice". If so, just check the ingredients label on the back to make sure it is indeed arborio rice.

What rice should I use for rice pudding?

This Portuguese rice pudding is made from arborio rice, which is an Italian short-grain rice that you might also use for risotto.

Arborio rice grains have quite a rounded shape, which holds together well during cooking. It gives the perfect results for this dish so it's well worth picking up arborio rice at the supermarket if you plan to make this recipe.

The majority of rice puddings tend to be made short-grain rice but even this varies and you might come across recipes using long grain rice such as basmati.

Why is my Arroz Doce crunchy?

If you find that the rice itself that's crunchy when you take a spoonful of Arroz Doce, then it's likely that you haven't cooked your rice pudding for long enough. To avoid this, taste your rice pudding several times while it cooks to ensure the texture is to your liking.

If your rice is still undercooked but your pudding is very thick, try adding a small splash of milk and stirring through. You can add more if necessary, but take it just a little at a time.

If your rice tastes cooked and your rice pudding is smooth but with crunchy bits in it, it's probably because some of the mixture burnt on the bottom of the saucepan. The best way to avoid this is to keep your heat low and stir more often.

Stir it near continuously to begin with then start taking longer and longer breaks as you get a feel for how often you need to do it. Just remember that the frequency will pick up again as the rice begins to cook and the mixture thickens.

If you've got a gas hob you might like to use a heat spreader to reduce hot points on the bottom of the pan.

Why is my Arroz Doce runny?

If your Arroz Doce is runny, it probably just needs more time to cook. Keep it over a low heat, stirring regularly until it thickens. Refer to the step-by-step photos to give you a sense of what you're looking for.

Will Arroze Doce thicken as it cools?

Yes, all rice pudding tends to continue to thicken as it cools, and that's exactly the intention with Arroz Doce as you want it to thicken enough to lift is gorgeous mounds with a spoon!

But for standard rice pudding, personally, I think it's best to eat it while it's hot, creamy and delicious.

What else can I add to my rice pudding?

The milk

Whole milk is the usual but a mixture of milk and cream or coconut milk adds lots of flavour, although it may affect the thickness and cooking time of your rice pudding, so keep an eye on your pudding, tasting regularly towards the end of the cooking time.

You can also use plant milk, such as almond, soya or oat milk. However, they all have unique flavour, texture and thickness properties, so again, you will need to keep an eye on your pudding as it cooks and adjust the quantities or cooking time, if necessary.

The spices

Cinnamon works so well with rice pudding and in the classic spice to use with Arroz Doce.

However, if you have any allspice, cardamom, star anise, nutmeg, ginger or saffron in the cupboard then open the jars, give them a smell and see what you think would work well. Use any additional spices sparingly so as not to overwhelm the flavour of the creamy rice.

Flavourings

You can add a dash of vanilla at the same time as you add the milk, if you wish. Rosewater, used sparingly, could also make for a very fragrant dish.

You could also try swapping the lemon zest for orange or lime zest, or use a combination!

Nuts

Chopped or whole nuts could add texture and flavour to this dish. Try stirring in a handful of chopped nuts towards the end of the cooking process.

Chopped pistachios go fantastically with cardamom. Or you might try almonds, cashews or walnuts.

Dried fruits

Raisins or sultanas are classics to add to rice pudding. Again, add them towards the end of the cooking process so that they don't break down entirely.

Dried apricots or figs would be delicious, too. You could even scatter them on top of the Arroz Doce after it is arranged on the platter.

Sugars

It's typical to use white sugar in this recipe to let the other flavours shine through. However, brown sugar, honey or maple syrups can all lend their own special flavour to a good rice pudding.

Is Arroz Doce suitable for vegetarians?

Arroz Doce is suitable for vegetarians as it contains no meat or fish products. The lovely thick texture is achieved with eggs and the natural starches from the rice.

Is Arroz Doce suitable for vegans? Can I make this recipe without eggs?

Arroz Doce is not suitable for vegans as it contains eggs and milk. You could try making it with plant-milk and an egg substitute, but this is not something I have tested at the time of writing.

Is Arroz Doce gluten-free?

This Portuguese rice pudding recipe does not use any ingredients that naturally contain gluten, so it should be suitable for a gluten-free diet.

However, cross-contamination can occur during production, so always check the packaging of each ingredient you use to make sure it is labelled gluten-free (and suitable for coeliacs, if applicable).

Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Arroz Doce is high in carbohydrates and so not suitable for a keto diet.

Is Arroz Doce healthy?

Arroz Doce is a sugary treat, best enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Is Arroz Doce safe to eat while pregnant?

Arroz Doce contains dairy and eggs that are fully cooked during the course of the recipe. At the time of writing, according to NHS advice it should be safe to eat during pregnancy.

Make sure that you have followed good food hygiene and good food safety practices, and always check with your health professional if you are uncertain about anything.

What goes well with Arroz Doce recipe?

This Portuguese rice pudding is wonderful eaten on its own, but as it is flavoured with cinnamon, it also goes wonderfully with fresh or stewed apples.

I haven’t got arborio rice, can I use basmati?

Short grain rice is much better for this recipe and I would strongly recommend nipping out to get some proper arborio rice.

You can use long grain rice such as basmati if you like, but you may find it breaks down into the custard and it may also add a different flavour to the pudding, which may or may not be to your taste. If you try it, I'd love to hear about the results!

How should I store Arroz Doce? Can I keep this recipe in the refrigerator?

Once your Arroz Doce has cooled to room temp, transfer any leftovers to a sealed container and place in the fridge.

How long does Arroz Doce keep?

Provided that you placed any leftovers into the fridge in a sealed container promptly, your Arroz Doce should be safe to enjoy for 3-5 days.

Can I leave Arroz Doce out on the counter?

As Arroz Doce contains eggs, rice and dairy, it should not be left out on the counter.

Make sure it is transferred to the fridge within two hours of being taken off the heat.

Can I make Arroz Doce ahead?

Yes, you can make Arroz Doce ahead! Once you've made the rice pudding, you have two options.

1. Spoon the hot pudding onto your serving platter and allow to cool, as per the recipe. Then, cover tightly with food wrap and place in the fridge, ready to unwrap and sprinkle with cinnamon when you're ready to serve; OR
2. Allow the pudding to cool, then transfer to a sealed container and store in the fridge until you're ready to serve. At that stage, it will have set quite firm, so you'll need to heat it back up in a pan over a low heat, stirring gently until piping hot through. Pour onto the platter, allow to set and then decorate as per the recipe.

Can I freeze Arroz Doce?

Yes, you can freeze Portuguese rice pudding. Place it in a freezer-safe, sealed container and chill in the refrigerator. Once cold, transfer to the freezer, where it should keep for up to three months.

What is the best way to reheat this recipe?

If kept in the fridge, the pudding will have set quite firm. If you want to serve it hot, tip it into a saucepan and place over a low heat, stirring gently until piping hot through. Pour onto the platter or into bowls. You can add a little more cinnamon on top, if you wish.

Can I make this recipe in a different quantity?

If you want to make more or less Arroz Doce, click on the portion size on the recipe card below and a slider will appear, allowing you to change the number of portions. All ingredients will also change accordingly.

Note: If you make a much larger or much smaller amount, this may affect the time it takes for the pudding to cook.

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