Passing down Cuban traditions is important to our family legacy and what better place to do so than in the kitchen! It’s where all great food culture is born, after all. Cuban desserts are as rich and decadent as is the culture. The kids and I are exploring the Hispanic recipes that my family loves best, like learning how to make arroz con leche! This arroz con leche recipe – otherwise known as rice pudding or rice porridge) that is super popular in Cuba.

Back when I was a little girl, my bisabuela (great-grandmother) taught me how to cook Cuban arroz con leche. It was one of her favorite Cuban desserts! She would make a big batch, store it in individual serving sizes and enjoy a cup every night throughout the week. I simply cannot enjoy rice pudding without thinking of her, remembering the patience she showed me and honoring her legacy by making sure my children use her name and remember who she was to me.

How to Make Arroz con Leche

Cuban Desserts

There are many ways to make rice pudding – including simmering milk and sugar together for a long, long time instead of using evaporated and condensed milks. That’s not how I grew up making arroz con leche – who has that kind of time! I’ve seen some recipes use milk instead of water to cook the rice, which I’d love to try one day. However, this particular rice pudding with condensed milk recipe is easy and quick: perfect for busy moms like you and me!

Mexican rice pudding is also very similar to this recipe, except there tends to be a larger variety of dried fruit incorporated. Add whichever dried fruits you enjoy, including raisins and figs, or none at all!

Ingredients for arroz con leche include items that you might already have in your pantry.

Related: Cuban Sandwich Like Papi Used To Make 

Ingredients for Arroz con Leche

– 1 cup Arborio Rice (use regular short grain rice if absolutely necessary)
– 2 cups water
– 1/2 lemon rind
– 1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces)
– 1 can sweeten condensed milk (14 ounces)
– 2 sticks cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 teaspoon salt

Easy Arroz Con Leche

Learning how to make Arroz de leche is not difficult and your kids will beg for more! In a saucepan over medium heat, bring rice, cinnamon sticks and lemon rind to a boil in water. Reduce heat once boiling to low and cover. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and plump.

Remove lemon rind with a slotted spoon. Over low heat, add evaporated and condensed milk. Stir constantly to thoroughly combine. Add salt and vanilla extract. Continue to cook on low heat for 7-10 minutes, or until the pudding thickens to desired consistency.

Remove from heat and serve immediately. Or, store in the fridge in an air-tight container to enjoy later on! Other Arroz con leche recipes have delicious combinations of dried fruits and various spices, but the traditional Hispanic recipe of Cuban Arroz con Leche is what we love best! Especially when we get to remember and talk about my favorite abuelita with my babies.

White Rice Recipes You’ll Love

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp – We ate this delicious garlic shrimp with white rice in Hawaii and immediately cooked it up at home!

Cuban Arroz con Pollo – I grew up on this savory Cuban rice dish and my kids do too!

Costa Rican Gallo Pinto – Our favorite breakfast rice dish from a country we adore.

West African Jollof Rice – delicious African rice dish made with stewed tomatoes. 

Arroz Congri – a traditional Cuban rice dish made by cooking white rice and black beans together.

Cuban Fried Rice – a twist on a traditional Cuban rice dish, Arroz Frito hails from Chinese immigrants.

Curry Mango with Organic White Rice – a savory curry made with mango and organic chicken.

Traditional Mexican Rice – stewed tomato sauce in toasted white rice simmered with smoky spices

Easy Coconut Rice in a Rice Cooker – simple, yet so savory

Yellow Indian Jasmine Rice – made with turmeric and cumin!

Cuban Arroz con Leche Recipe

Yield: 10 small servings/6 normal servings

This arroz con leche recipe is a rice pudding with condensed milk that is perfect for busy moms who want to enjoy traditional Cuban desserts without a ton of time and effort. Perfect for cooking with kids to explore food culture and Hispanic traditions.

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Ingredients

• - 1 cup Arborio Rice (use regular short grain rice if absolutely necessary)
• - 2 cups water
• - 1/2 lemon rind
• - 1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces)
• - 1 can sweeten condensed milk (14 ounces)
• - 2 sticks cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Arroz de leche is not difficult to make and your kids will beg for more!

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring rice, cinnamon sticks and lemon rind to a boil in water. Reduce heat once boiling to low and cover. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and plump.

Remove lemon rind with a slotted spoon. Over low heat, add evaporated and condensed milk. Stir constantly to thoroughly combine. Add salt and vanilla extract. Continue to cook on low heat for 7-10 minutes, or until the pudding thickens to desired consistency.

Remove from heat and serve immediately. Or, store in the fridge in an air-tight container.