Portuguese Sweet Rice Arroz Doce Recipe

Unlock the secret to creamy, dreamy Portuguese Arroz Doce! This authentic recipe, passed down through generations, delivers a sweet, zesty lemon flavor that will leave you craving more. Forget bland rice pudding – this is an explosion of texture and taste in just 30-45 minutes. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this unforgettable dessert!

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 2690.8 kcal
Protein 107g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Portuguese Sweet Rice Arroz Doce 38

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Portuguese Sweet Rice Arroz Doce

  • 4 cups water
  • Lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) margarine or unsalted butter
  • 1 cup uncooked short-grain white rice (like Arborio or sushi rice)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or to taste)
  • 3 large egg yolks

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How to Make Portuguese Sweet Rice Arroz Doce

  1. Place a large pot over high heat. Add 4 cups of water.
  2. Peel the rind from one lemon, avoiding the white pith as much as possible. Add the lemon peels to the pot.
  3. Set aside the remaining lemon. Reduce heat to medium.
  4. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 tablespoons of margarine to the pot.
  5. Once the water boils, add 1 cup of rice.
  6. Stir frequently until most of the liquid is absorbed (about 10-15 minutes).
  7. Add 1/2 cup of milk, stir, and continue cooking until the milk is almost absorbed.
  8. Repeat step 7 until all 2 cups of milk have been added, stirring constantly.
  9. Remove the lemon rind from the pot.
  10. Zest the second lemon and add the zest to the pot.
  11. Stir in 1/2 cup of sugar (adjust to your preferred sweetness).
  12. Remove the pot from the heat.
  13. In a separate bowl, whisk the 3 egg yolks slightly.
  14. Gradually temper the egg yolks by adding a few spoonfuls of the hot rice mixture, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
  15. Pour the tempered egg yolks into the rice mixture and stir well.
  16. Return the pot to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is creamy and slightly thickened (about 2-3 minutes). Avoid burning!
  17. Pour the arroz doce into a greased casserole dish.
  18. Allow to cool slightly before covering and refrigerating for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
  19. Before serving, sprinkle generously with ground cinnamon.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

120 g

Sugar

1199g

Fat

138g

Carbs

171g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

30 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Low Protein Healthy Desserts Eggs Dairy Rice European Low Fat Puddings And Mousses Dietary Low Sodium Gluten Free Inexpensive Free Of Something Low In Something Pasta Rice And Grains Long Grain Rice