Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)

Portuguese Rice Pudding, Arroz Doce, is a traditional Portuguese dessert made with rice, sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, and lemon peel.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Portuguese

Keyword arroz doce, Authentic Portuguese dessert, portuguese dessert, Portuguese milk and rice dessert, rice pudding

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 252kcal

Cook rice according to the package instructions.
While rice cooks cut the zest from your lemon. You don't want to use a zester or grater for this because you want large pieces so you can remove them before serving. Use a sharp knife to carefully remove large pieces of the bright yellow outer skin (avoid the white rind beneath).
In a small pot heat your milk, stopping just before it begins to simmer.
In a small bowl whisk the eggs yolks and then temper them by very slowly pouring just a bit of the hot milk into the eggs and whisking quickly so that they do not cook. Add the tempered eggs to the hot milk whisking constantly.
Add the sugar, butter, vanilla, and lemon rinds to the milk and whisk together.
Pour the milk mixture into the cooked rice and stir together.
Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until you reach an oatmeal consistency.
Once the pudding has reached the desired texture remove the lemon zest and divide the rice pudding into dishes, or pour into one large dish, and let cool.
Once the pudding has cooled to room temperature use a stencil and ground cinnamon to create a design on top. This is optional. If you would like to save time you can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon over the top of your rice pudding.
Serve immediately or store in refrigerator until needed