A photo of Arroz doce, a Portuguese dish.

Recipes · Sweets & Pastries

Arroz doce

Enjoy the warmth of Arroz doce on special occasions, a dish that brings families together in every spoonful.

⏱ Prep 20 min🔥 Cook 25 min👥 Serves 4📍 LisboaEasy

June 23, 2026

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On those cozy evenings in Lisbon, when families gather around the table, the sweet scent of Arroz doce: A Sweet Tradition wafts through the air, inviting everyone to dig in. This delightful rice pudding is a beloved fixture at all kinds of celebrations, from birthdays to weddings, and it truly shines during Christmas. I fondly recall making it for the first time with my grandmother, her tender hands guiding mine as we mixed the creamy goodness in a big pot. Each bite takes me back to our warm kitchen, filled with laughter and love.

A photo evocative of Arroz doce, a Portuguese dish.

Arroz doce: A Sweet Tradition is all about simplicity and richness. Creamy rice cooked in milk, sweetened just right, with a whisper of cinnamon woven in. It’s served in small bowls, often topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, accompanied by stories and laughter around the dinner table. This dish doesn’t just fill your belly; it fills your heart, connecting generations and creating cherished memories that linger long after the last spoonful.

Ingredients · 4 servings

  • 125 g (1/2 cup) short-grain rice
  • 1 liter (4 cups) whole milk
  • 150 g (3/4 cup) sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 lemon peel
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • cinnamon powder for sprinkling

Method

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. In a pot, combine the rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, lemon peel, and salt.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the mixture thickens.
  5. Remove the pot from heat and discard the cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
  6. Transfer the pudding to serving bowls and let it cool slightly before refrigerating.
  7. Before serving, sprinkle with cinnamon powder.

🪄 You can swap lemon peel for orange peel to give it a lovely twist.

Photo by Gundula Vogel on Pexels

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels

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