Moroccan · Dessert
Moroccan Rice Pudding (Roz bil Hleeb)
Roz bil hleeb is Morocco's gently perfumed rice pudding — short rice simmered slowly in milk until soft and creamy, sweetened lightly and scented with cinnamon and orange-blossom water. Served warm in winter or chilled in summer, dusted with cinnamon and sometimes crushed almonds, it is a simple, comforting home dessert loved by children and grandparents alike.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 150 g short or pudding rice
- 1 litre whole milk, plus a little more if needed
- 80 g sugar, or to taste
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp orange-blossom water
- Pinch of salt
- Ground cinnamon and crushed almonds, to serve
Method
- 1
Soften the rice
Rinse the rice, then simmer it in a little water for a few minutes until just starting to soften, and drain. (This shortens the milk cooking and keeps the milk from catching.)
- 2
Simmer in milk
Add the milk, cinnamon stick and salt and simmer gently, stirring often, 30–35 minutes until the rice is very soft and the milk has thickened to a loose, creamy pudding. Keep the heat low so the milk doesn't scorch.
- 3
Sweeten and perfume
Stir in the sugar and cook 5 minutes more to dissolve. Off the heat, stir in the orange-blossom water and remove the cinnamon stick. Remember it thickens as it cools, so keep it a touch loose.
- 4
Serve
Spoon into bowls and serve warm, or chill. Dust with ground cinnamon and scatter with crushed almonds.
Chef's tips
- Stir often and keep the heat low — rice pudding catches and scorches easily on a hot base.
- Take it off the heat while still slightly loose; it thickens noticeably as it cools.
- Add the orange-blossom water off the heat so its delicate aroma isn't cooked away.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Moroccan rice pudding dairy-free?
Yes. Almond milk is a natural fit given the Moroccan love of almonds, and it echoes the flavour of the dish. Simmer a little longer as plant milks thicken less, and sweeten to taste.
Is it served warm or cold?
Both, depending on the season and preference — comforting and warm in winter, refreshing and chilled in summer. It is always finished with a dusting of cinnamon.