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🐓 Portuguese · Dessert · Medium difficulty · Vegetarian

Rice Pudding with Caramel

A smoky Portuguese dessert built around caramel, seasoned with short grain rice and milk.

Prep time
14 min
Cook time
31 min
Total time
45 min
Servings
8
Calories
426 kcal
Protein
6 g
Carbs
46 g
Fat
24 g
Course
Dessert

About this Portuguese dessert

Rice Pudding with Caramel is a Portuguese dessert built around caramel sauce. It takes about 45 min from start to finish, 14 minutes of prep and 31 minutes of cooking, and serves 8.

Cooking method: dessert. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegetarian, and marked gluten-free in our data.

Good for: party & sharing, kid friendly.

Ingredients

Quantities are for 8 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.

  • 1 cup caramel sauce
  • 1 cup short grain rice
  • 1 litre milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 lemon peel
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Step 1. Prepare the caramel: chop, zest or purée it as needed.

    Heat
    Off, no heat yet
    Look for
    Pieces are roughly the same size, so they all finish cooking together.
    Why it matters
    Even pieces cook at the same speed. Prepping everything first (mise en place) stops you scrambling once the pan is hot.
    Avoid
    Cutting pieces of mixed sizes: small ones burn while big ones stay raw.

  2. Step 2. Mix the short grain rice, milk and sugar until smooth and well combined.

    Heat
    Off, no heat
    Look for
    Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
    Why it matters
    Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
    Avoid
    Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.

  3. Step 3. Fold in the caramel gently, then cook, bake or chill as the dish requires, about 19 minutes.

    Heat
    Keep the heat steady
    Look for
    The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
    Why it matters
    Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
    Avoid
    Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.

  4. Step 4. Taste and adjust the sweetness.

    Heat
    Off, no heat
    Look for
    Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
    Why it matters
    Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
    Avoid
    Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.

  5. Step 5. Let it cool or set for at least 10 minutes.

    Heat
    Off, let it sit
    Look for
    Steam slows, juices settle and the dish firms up slightly.
    Why it matters
    Resting lets juices redistribute and flavours settle, and the food is easier to slice and eat.
    Avoid
    Skipping the rest: juices run out and the dish falls apart.

  6. Step 6. Decorate with egg yolks and serve.

    Heat
    Warm plates
    Look for
    Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
    Why it matters
    Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
    Avoid
    Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.

Chef's tip

Use ripe ingredients for natural sweetness.

Equipment you will need

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spatula
  • Serving glasses or dish

Nutrition per serving

Estimated per serving: 426 kcal, 6 g protein, 46 g carbohydrate and 24 g fat. Roughly 6% of the energy comes from protein, 43% from carbohydrate and 51% from fat, using standard energy values.

Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.

When to cook Rice Pudding with Caramel

Substitutions and variations

  • Use plant milk and vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
  • Cutting sugar by 20-25% works in many bakes, though texture may change slightly.
  • Serve at room temperature or chilled so the flavours come through.

Frequently asked questions about Rice Pudding with Caramel

How long does Rice Pudding with Caramel take to make?

It takes about 45 min in total: 14 minutes of prep and 31 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.

How many calories are in one serving?

Each serving has about 426 kcal, with 6 g protein, 46 g carbohydrate and 24 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 8 servings.

Is Rice Pudding with Caramel gluten-free?

It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.

How difficult is it to cook?

It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.

Can I make Rice Pudding with Caramel ahead or freeze it?

Best eaten fresh, because crisp or fresh textures do not survive storage. Prepare components ahead instead, and store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 2 days.

How many servings does it make?

This recipe makes 8 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.

More Portuguese recipes

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