Tres Leches Rice Pudding

This is the best rice pudding recipe! This Tres Leches Rice Pudding is made with three kinds of milk, tender rice, and a hint of cinnamon come together in the creamiest, dreamiest dessert you’ve ever tasted. This Tres Leches Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche) is comfort food at its finest — and simple to make!

We are absolutely obsessed with this Tres Leches Rice Pudding Recipe in our home. It doesn’t last a day and everyone is fighting over it. I have made a lot of rice pudding in my days but this one takes the cake.

I think it all comes down to the creaminess that comes from the mix of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. When paired with rice, it creates such a comfort food.

Since I grew up in Arizona, we are huge Mexican food fans and it is definitely our favorite food. Since Cinco de Mayo is coming up, I am sharing some of our favorite Mexican recipes — starting with this Mexican dessert.

Arroz con Leche Ingredients:

It is so easy to make homemade rice pudding and you only need 7 ingredients. This authentic arroz con leche is made from all-natural ingredients and is so addicting!

• Medium-grain rice (or your favorite type of rice)
• Evaporated Milk: This is canned milk and adds so much creaminess.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the sweetened, thicker version of evaporated milk and is the star ingredient.
• Whole Milk: This adds creaminess to the rice pudding.
• Cinnamon: Stir cinnamon into the rice pudding or just sprinke on the top when ready to serve.
• Heavy Cream: This is whipped and served on top of the tres leches rice pudding.
• Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the whipped cream to compliment the Mexican rice pudding.
• Salt: Sprinkle salt into the water to cook the rice in to infuse flavor into the rice.
• Optional: Vanilla Bean Paste

How to make Homemade Tres Leches Rice Pudding:

1. Rice the rice thoroughly. Rinse the rice 4-5 times until the water runs almost clear. This step removes excess surface starch, preventing the pudding from becoming gummy and helping it cook evenly into a creamy texture. Skipping the rinse leads to sticky, clumpy, gummy rice pudding — not the silky texture we want.
2. Cook the rice. In a deep, large saucepan, bring the water, rinced rice, and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed — about 15-18 minutes. If there is still water leftover, drain it before adding the 3 milks.
3. Add the 3 milks to the rice. Once the rice is cooked, stir in evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil (watch carefully so it doesn’t overflow). Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick, about 18-20 minutes. The rice pudding will thicken as it cools.
4. Taste for sweetness and add more sweetness if desired. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla bean paste, if desired.
5. Make homemade whipped cream or use spray whipped cream. In a bowl, beat heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
6. Serve. Spoon the warm rice pudding into bowls or chill in the refrigerator if you prefer to serve it cold. Top with fresh whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Why should I rinse the rice before cooking?

Why is it advised to rinse the rice so many times before cooking? Here’s your scientific answer…

Rinsing removes the surface starch, which would make the rice pudding overly thick, pasty, or gluey. Removing some of that starch gives the rice pudding a better texture.

Clear water = clean rice = better texture!

Rice Pudding Toppings:

I love to top homemade rice pudding with fresh sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Here are some other topping ideas for rice pudding:

• Fresh Strawberries or Berries
• Fresh Whipped Cream
• Cinnamon
• Fresh Orange zest
• Chopped Almonds (with almond extract)
• Dulce de Leche
• Fresh Mangoes

Mexican Dessert Recipes:

Here are some of our go-to Mexican dessert recipes in our home. You can’t miss out on the homemade caramel flan recipe!

Caramel Flan

Mexican Chocolate Pie

Fresas con Crema (Strawberries and Cream)

Tres Leches Cake