🇨🇺 Cuban Cuisine

Arroz con Leche Cubano

Cuban Rice Pudding

Prep Time 5 min

Servings 6

Difficulty Easy

Calories 281 kcal

A creamy, cinnamon-scented rice pudding simmered with condensed milk, lime zest, and vanilla — served warm or chilled as Cuba's most comforting dessert.

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice
3 cups whole milk
1 can condensed milk (400g)
1 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks
Zest of 1 lime
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions

1 Cook rice in water with cinnamon sticks and lime zest until water is absorbed, about 10 min.
2 Add whole milk gradually, stirring frequently. Simmer on low heat for 20 min.
3 Stir in condensed milk, vanilla, and salt. Cook 10 min more, stirring constantly, until thick and creamy.
4 Remove cinnamon sticks and lime zest.
5 Serve warm in bowls dusted with ground cinnamon, or chill for 2 hours for a firmer texture.

Did You Know?

Cuban arroz con leche uses lime zest instead of lemon, giving it a tropical citrus note that distinguishes it from all other Latin American versions.