Authentic Spanish Crema Catalana
Indulge in the delightful experience of making Authentic Spanish Crema Catalana, a luscious custard dessert that captures the essence of traditional Spanish flavors. This creamy custard is infused with vibrant citrus notes from lemon and orange peels, perfectly complemented by the warm spice of cinnamon. Topped with a layer of caramelized sugar, it offers a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with its silky texture. Ideal for any occasion, this easy-to-make dessert can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to impress your guests with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Heating/Chilling
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 large piece lemon peel
- 1 large piece orange peel
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup white sugar (preferably caster)
- Additional sugar for caramelization
- Fresh fruit or berries for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Heat milk in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat with citrus peels and cinnamon stick until simmering. Remove from heat.
- Dissolve cornstarch in a splash of water to create a slurry.
- In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale, then mix in cornstarch slurry and a splash of hot milk.
- Remove citrus peels and cinnamon from the milk. Gradually whisk in egg mixture.
- Return to low heat, whisking constantly until thickened to pudding consistency.
- Pour into ramekins, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, sprinkle with sugar and caramelize using a blowtorch or oven grill.
- Top with fresh fruit if desired and serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin (120g)
- Calories: 211
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 186mg