Healthier Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche).  A dairy-free spin on a popular Latin dessert recipe. Made with simple and natural ingredients, this easy dessert recipe is guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. 

I grew up enjoying Rice Pudding as a kid. I remember scraping the sides of the pan after my mom was done making it and not waiting for it to cool before I enjoyed it.

Traditionally, Arroz con Leche is a mixture of white rice, sugar, cinnamon, evaporated milk, condensed milk and whole milk that as you can imagine, it’s very healthy. While I still love the traditional recipe and allow myself to enjoy it from time to time, I prefer making it with healthier ingredients for my family to enjoy – especially Carolina. For example, I use brown rice instead of white rice, unsweetened almond milk instead of cow milk and coconut sugar instead of refined sugar. This version has the same great taste and better ingredients.

It’s also a fun recipe to make with the kids. Caro loves to pour the ingredients into the pan and as she says “mix it, Mama”. I love including her in the process and let her scarp the sides for a taste like I did as a kid.

FlipTip: Adding lime peel to the hot mixture as it cooks it gives this recipe a zing and enhances the flavors. I encourage you to try it.

I shared this recipe with our friends at The Mpire.co – a wonderful community of women based in Miami, FL that I love to support and partnered with as food and nutrition blog contributor! Make sure to check them out and show them some love! 

Don’t forget to tag your food pictures and tag us using the hashtag #ourflipsidelife on INSTAGRAM. We’d love to see it!

Ingredients

3 cups long grain brown rice, cooked

1/8 tsp sea salt

4 cups unsweetened dairy-free milk beverage

½ cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Lime peel, about 2 inches long

¼ cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat stir in the cooked rice, unsweetened dairy-free milk, maple syrup, lime peel, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

2. Cook uncovered, stirring often until the rice mixture starts to resemble oatmeal, approximately 20 to 35 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and add in the raisins (optional) let cool before serving and enjoy!