Recipe: Arroz Con Dulce, Puerto Rican Style

Many cultures have their own versions of rice pudding, Puerto Rico is no different. Arroz con Dulce is a beloved Puerto Rican dessert. Seasoned with spices such as ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, the flavor is like no other rice pudding you’ve tasted. It’s popular during the holidays, but you can find it at panaderías (bakeries) across the island year-round. The Puerto Rican version of arroz con dulce is thicker; you can even eat it with your hands. This consistency allows us to place a portion on a plate or a cute container and give them away as gifts.

My Tia Juanin’s Arroz con Dulce Recipe

Adapted from my Tía Juanin’s arroz con dulce recipe, this recipe is pretty easy to make. Tia Juanin, my aunt, is my mother’s eldest sister, who is now 90 years old and the matriarch of our family. Her arroz con dulce is the best in the family. When she was younger, my mom would always ask her to make it for family gatherings. She says one of the key tricks to get a delicious arroz con dulce is to add butter at the end for a creamy finish. For those who want to stay vegan, I’ve used Country Crock Plant Butter and it works just fine. It brings the same creaminess as the butter.

How to Make the Arroz con Dulce

An essential tip: soak the rice in cold water for at least three hours. This is very important. Soaking the rice will soften it, making it much easier to cook and yield a much better texture for your arroz con dulce. Also, ensure you’re keeping an eye on the rice–it can turn from a smooth mix to a hot mess (literally) in a matter of seconds. 

Arroz con Dulce and a Cafecito for Good

Pair your arroz con dulce with a cafesito for a good cause from Cafe Ama Love from our friends at Friends of Puerto Rico. We’re super excited to partner with Friends of Puerto Rico for a scholarship fund to benefit their youth entrepreneurship program, SEEDS. 

Arroz con Dulce, Puerto Rican Style

Print Recipe

Arroz con Dulce is a Puerto Rican version of rice pudding. The consistency is thicker, almost like a cake. Made with coconut milk and spices, arroz con dulce is a beloved Puerto Rican dessert. 

• Author: DiningTraveler
• Prep Time: 30 Minutes
• Cook Time: 30 Minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Ingredients

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2 Cups of White, Short or Medium Grain Rice

1–2” Piece of Fresh Ginger

3–4 Cinnamon Sticks

Dash of Salt

1 13.5oz Can of Cream of Coconut

1 15oz Can of Coconut Milk 

1 Tsp Vanilla

3/4 Cup of Raisins

3 Tbsp of Butter 

Ground Cinnamon 

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Instructions

1. Soak rice in cold water for at least three hours
2. Once the rice is soaked, rinse, and set aside.
3. Place four cups of water into a heavy saucepan and add spices.
4. Bring water to a boil in high heat and then let it simmer for 10 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
5. Remove spices. Keep the cinnamon sticks for garnish. 
6. Add the rice and cook on medium heat.
7. Once the rice absorbs the water (around 10-15 minutes), stir in the coconut milk and cream of coconut and cover and cook in medium-low heat. 
8. Let it cook until soft. It should take around 20 minutes. Every 5-7 minutes, give it a stir to ensure that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. 
9. Fifteen minutes in, stir the raisins and the butter to finish. 
10. Once it’s done, remove it from the pan. I usually like to mold the arroz con dulce in a platter. You can use smaller plates or little containers to give away as gifts. 
11. Let it cool for an hour at room temperature. Add ground cinnamon and use the cinnamon sticks as a garnish. 
12. Place in the fridge. It’s best to make it overnight, although it’s so difficult to control myself! 

Notes

Shop the Utensils & Ingredients 

Red IMUSA Non-Stick Caldero 

Fine Mesh Sieve

OXO Measuring Cups

IMUSA Espresso Maker

La Fe Cream of Coconut