Sweet and Delicious Arroz Doce (Portuguese Sweet Rice)
Arroz Doce (Portuguese Sweet Rice) is a deliciously sweet dessert that can be served warm or cold. A dish worth serving during Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Easter. Portuguese sweet rice is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth!
Arroz Doce (Portuguese Sweet Rice) is made with long-grain Italian rice, milk, granulated sugar, cinnamon, egg yolk, and lemon zest.
This dish has been a staple in my home since I could remember as far back as I can recall this sweet treat was always reserved for Easter Sunday or other special days that needed the wow factor for a dessert. I’m not going to lie this dish is time-consuming and takes some elbow grease it certainly does not come easy but the end result is so worth it!
Tips for the perfect Arroz Doce:
- Start on medium heat and bring the water and milk mixture to a rolling boil before adding the rice
- When the rice has been added continuously stir when rice becomes stuck to the bottom of the pan cause it will but do not scrape the bottom and if any burnt floats to the surface just remove with a fork
- Let cook until wooden spoon stand test is accomplished
- when adding the egg stir in the egg in little increments and stir vigorously after every addition until mixed through if not your egg will turn into a scrambled egg.
- Only top with cinnamon when Portuguese sweet rice has completely cooled
- to reduce quantity reduce ingredients by half.
Tools:
- measuring cup
- large saucepan
- grater
- large serving platter
Ingredients:
- 6 cups milk
- 6 cups water
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 4 zest of lemons
- 2 ½ cups Italian long-grain rice
- 5 room temperature egg yolks
- cinnamon for sprinkling on top
Toppings:
cinnamon, raisins, nuts, cocoa, make it your own!
Instructions:
Step 1:
To make Portuguese sweet rice, start by adding the milk, water, sugar, and lemon zest in a large saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Add the uncooked rice, and stir to combine.
*Tip:
Once the liquid boils and you add the rice make sure you continuously stir the rice not to let it burn or stick no matter what it will stick to the bottom unless you’re using a Teflon but you don’t want it to stick too soon ruining the dessert.
Step 2:
Once the rice has fully cooked and the mixture has thickened you can do the spoon stand-up test which is with the wooden spoon placed in a standing position in the middle of the pot and if it stands on its own the rice is done.
*Tip:
Another way to tell the rice is done is when you’re stirring the mixture and you don’t see fluid but it still needs to be moist, not dry. this will help ensure that your dessert is nice and creamy.
Step 3:
Have your egg yolks placed in a measuring cup to get it to room temperature while you’re cooking your rice. Once the rice is done remove it from heat. In small increments add the egg mixture to the rice mixture and stir vigorously to combine.
*Tip:
This part is the tricky part. If you don’t stir quickly your egg will turn into scrambled eggs and your dessert is ruined.
Step 4:
After adding the egg the sweet rice will start to harden quickly. Immediately transfer sweet rice to a large platter and let cool completely before adding your cinnamon.
*Tip:
Once you fill your platter and you find you still have extra sweet rice in the pot you can place the extra onto saucers to give to family or neighbors. Let sweet rice cool completely before you add the cinnamon if you add it while it’s hot the cinnamon will melt into your dessert.
This Portuguese Sweet Rice dessert can be served warm or cold but either way, it will be delicious! If you are looking for a sweet and tasty dessert that is unique and different than what you usually make give Arroz Doce (Portuguese Sweet Rice) a try I promise you will not be disappointed.
-Lana 🙂
If you love dessert recipes check out my other recipes
- Upside-down Pineapple cake
- Portuguese Biscuits
- Cracker Cake
- Portuguese Custard
4 Responses