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Halawet El Riz (Rice and Cheese Cream) is a decadent layered dessert made with rice, cheese, and sweet clotted cream infused with blossom and rose water that will leave you speechless! It boasts a velvety texture and delicate sweetness, perfectly balanced with a hint of coconut crunch.
A beloved staple of Lebanese cuisine, this decadent treat graces tables during special occasions and celebrations, promising a symphony of flavors and textures that captivate every palate.
Rice & Cheese Bliss
Table of Contents
What Is Halawet El Riz?
Halawet El Riz or Halawet El Roz, a culinary gem tracing its roots to Lebanon, embodies the essence of Middle Eastern dessert tradition with every delectable bite. A cousin to the well-known Middle Eastern Dessert, Halawet El Jibn but different at the same time! This dessert is made from a harmonious fusion of cooked rice, sugar, and cream, meticulously blended to perfection until a velvety-smooth paste is achieved.
This luscious mixture is delicately spread onto a spacious tray, where it serves as the canvas for a tantalizing layering process. Then, a generous topping of ashta cream, rich in both texture and flavor, lovingly blankets the cheese and rice mixture, infusing each bite with indulgent richness.
Pistachios, add a delightful crunch and adorn the creamy canvas, elevating Halawet El Riz to celestial heights of taste and texture.
Traditionally, this dessert is portioned into elegant diamond shapes. Upon serving, a delicate drizzle of simple syrup tops the dessert.
It’s no wonder that Halawet El Riz holds a cherished place at the table during festive gatherings and special occasions, where it serves not only as a dessert but as a symbol of tradition, celebration, and the artistry of Lebanese cuisine.
Happy to have it available on the internet to share with the world. I would love to hear your feedback on this recipe at the bottom of the page 🙂
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Prepare to fall head over heels for Halawet El Riz. Here’s why this Middle Eastern masterpiece will capture your heart:
- Exquisite Flavor: Halawet El Riz delights the palate with its rich, creamy texture and delicate sweetness, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.
- Versatile Enjoyment: Whether it’s a casual family gathering or a festive celebration, Halawet El Riz is the perfect dessert companion, It adds a touch of elegance and indulgence to any occasion.
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few basic ingredients—including rice, sugar, cream, and coconut—Halawet El Riz is easy to make, allowing you to enjoy its decadent goodness with minimal effort.
- Creative Expression: From its traditional diamond-shaped servings to personalized garnishes and toppings, Halawet El Riz offers endless opportunities for creativity, allowing you to make each serving uniquely yours.
Variations
- Chocolate Infusion: Indulge in a decadent twist by adding chocolate to the creamy rice mixture. Chocolate creates a rich and luxurious variation of Halawet El Riz that chocolate lovers will adore.
- Nutty Crunch: Elevate the texture and flavor profile by incorporating chopped nuts such as pistachios, almonds, or walnuts into the creamy filling. Nuts add a delightful crunch and nutty undertones to each bite.
- Fruit Fusion: Introduce a burst of freshness by layering sliced fruits such as strawberries, mangoes, or bananas between the creamy rice mixture, creating a refreshing and vibrant variation of Halawet El Riz.
Heavenly Harmony of Rice, Cheese, and Cream
Ingredients
- short grain rice
- Fresh Belgioioso Cheese or 16 oz block of mozzarella cheese
- water
- blossom water (known as mazaher): Here is what the rose and blossom water bottle looks like! Of course there are different brands and they all will work the same.
- rose water known as (mawarid)
- cane sugar or xylitol or white sugar
(Scroll down for recipe details.)
Pro Tip
To ensure a smooth and creamy texture in your Halawet El Riz, be sure to cook the rice until it’s fully softened before mixing it with the other ingredients. This will help achieve a velvety consistency in the final dessert.
Ricey Bliss
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
If using Belgioioso cheese or Mozzarella cheese, there is no need to soak in water.
This is a personal preference since I love scooping out a warm spoon of this delicious dessert. It is usually enjoyed chilled but please do try it warm as well 😉
It can last in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Best to taste test and see
Not necessarily! You can sweeten the rice and cheese mixture and the ashta layer that goes on top so that you don’t need to add ater, which is also known as simple syrup. Honey also tastes so good drizzled on top.
Top Tips
Make sure to stir the mixture constantly while cooking to prevent any lumps from forming and to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
When spreading the rice mixture onto the tray, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to create a smooth and even layer. This will ensure that each portion of Halawet El Riz has a consistent texture and appearance, enhancing its presentation and overall appeal.
Lightly greasing the tray with butter or oil before spreading the mixture can prevent it from sticking and make it easier to cut into neat servings later on.
Use full-fat milk for a richer and creamier texture.
Drizzle with extra syrup just before serving for an extra burst of sweetness.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
Enjoy your Halawet El Riz with a cup of aromatic Arabic coffee for the perfect pairing.
Allow the dessert to set for a few hours before cutting into it for cleaner slices.
Other Enjoyable Dessert Options
- Sweet Clotted Cream (Ashta)
- Simple Syrup (Ater)
- Three-Ingredient Oreo Ice Cream Cake
- Satisfying Fruit Salad
- Pan-Fried Honey Cinnamon Bananas
- Easy One-Bowl Banana Bread
- Six-Ingredient Creamy Chocolate Fudgsicles
- Chocolate Coffee Avocado Pudding
- Strawberry Cheesecake Roll
- Low-Carb Turmeric Cake- Sfuf
Halawet El Riz – Rice and Cheese Cream
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups short grain rice
- 2 16 oz Fresh Belgioioso Cheese, or 16 oz block of mozzarella cheese
- 6 cups water
- 2 tablespoons blossom water, mazaher
- ⅓ cup rose water, mawarid
- 2 ½ cups cane sugar, or xylitol or white sugar
Instructions
- To remove the sodium, soak the cheese in water for 1-3 hours or over night, renewing the water a few times- if using Belgioioso cheese, there is no need to soak!
- In a pot add washed short or medium grain rice. Cover with 6 cups of water. Bring water to a boil for about 4 minutes then simmer for 30 minutes covered stirring occasionally until all the water has been soaked by the rice.
- After 30 minutes if needed if the rice hans’t fully soaked all the water, cover it and leave it or another 10-20 minutes.
- Now, using an immersion blender blemd the rice until it is a creamy consistency.
- Add the drained cheese and sugar into the pot of creamed rice. Place on medium heat and begin to stir consistently until all ingredients are well combined and content is stretchy.
- Add in the rosewater and blossom water and continue mixing to combine on medium heat.
- Now, pour the warm cheese filling into a 9×13 pyrex. Allow it to cool.
- Top is with a layer of ashta (sweet cream). Garnish with ground pistachio.
- Place it in the fridge for 4 hours or over night. Enjoy as is or for added sweetness, drizzle honey or simple syrup.
This was so easy to make and so delicious. Very light and the texture was amazing! Loved this!!!!
This was verrry very delicious. So creamy and really impressive. I loved how easy the ashta was to make. Thank you again for such a great recipe
I absolutely love this dish- won’t ever buy sweets from bakeries again since we have Lama. Can’t wait to make it again today!
I am so happy to hear this Fatima!! Thank you for stopping by and letting me know!
Omg this is absolutely amazing! My whole family loved it. Thanks for sharing.
Omg! this is absolutely amazing! It’s the first time I make it and def not the last! Thanks for sharing.
i just made this and wow looks amazing can’t wait to try tonight. Thank you
Amazing to hear! Thank you for the feedback! 😉
Sooo delicious and easy to make. This is gonna be one of my summer to go desserts! Thanks Lama
Halawet El Riz is one popular recipe on my page! Glad you had the chance to try it 🙂
Made this today and it’s currently chillin in the fridge. Can’t wait to try it 😍
I hope you enjoy ever bite! 🙂
I’ve been searching for this recipe for a while and i’m glad i found it! My husband loved it and so did I. Thank you
Such a great dessert. It was a hit with the whole family. My little ones loved it too
Super delicious recipe ever thanks
I am so happy to hear that you liked it! 🙂 Thank you for leaving a review!