Vegan Arroz Doce
Arroz Doce is Portugal’s most beloved comfort dessert: creamy, velvety rice pudding infused with warm cinnamon and bright lemon zest, finished with a dusting of cinnamon powder. This 100% vegan version replaces dairy milk, butter, and egg enrichments with plant‑based alternatives, keeping the signature smooth texture, rich creamy mouthfeel, and perfectly balanced sweet‑spiced flavour that makes this treat a timeless classic.
Shared by katty
Time
55 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
đź›’ Ingredients
- #Creamy Sweet Rice;
- 150 g short‑grain rice (risotto or pudding rice works best)
- 800 ml unsweetened plant milk (oat or soy for creaminess)
- 100 g coconut sugar or caster sugar,, 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip fresh lemon zest (no white pith),, 2 tbsp coconut cream or full‑fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil.. Pinch of fine salt.. Extra plant milk, if needed
- #To Serve;
- Ground cinnamon for dusting.. Star anise (optional, for garnish)
👩‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prep: Rinse the rice well until the water runs clear. Place in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick, lemon zest, and half the plant milk. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat.
- 2
Simmer: Cook slowly, stirring frequently, adding the remaining milk gradually as it is absorbed. Continue for 35–40 minutes until the rice is fully soft and creamy, adding a splash more milk if it becomes too thick.
- 3
Sweeten: Stir in the sugar, coconut cream, vegan butter, and salt. Simmer for a final 3–4 minutes until smooth and thick to your liking. Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon zest.
- 4
Serve: Spoon into bowls while warm, or chill for a firmer texture. Dust generously with ground cinnamon and add star anise for decoration if desired.