Authentic Crema Catalana
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Servings
4
Yield
4 servings
Calories
Approximately 300 calories
Discover the essence of Spanish desserts with this Authentic Crema Catalana recipe.
This traditional Catalan dish is a delight to the senses, featuring a luxuriously creamy custard infused with the zest of lemon and orange, contrasted with a perfectly caramelized sugar topping.
Its simplicity belies the depth of flavor that awaits your palate.
This dessert is not only a treat for those experienced in the kitchen but also accessible for home cooks looking to impress with minimal effort.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned chef, this Crema Catalana will bring a touch of Spanish elegance to your table.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of whole milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Peel of 1 lemon
- Peel of 1 orange
- 1 cup of sugar, plus extra for caramelizing
- 6 large egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons of cornstarch
- High-quality vanilla extract (optional for enhanced flavor)
Instructions
- n a saucepan, combine milk, cinnamon stick, and citrus peels. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes to infuse flavors.
- In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Remove cinnamon stick and peels from the milk. Gradually whisk the warm milk into the egg yolk mixture.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Pour the custard into heatproof dishes. Let cool, then refrigerate until set.
- Before serving, sprinkle each custard with a thin layer of sugar and caramelize with a kitchen torch.
Tips & Tricks
- For a deeper flavor, let the milk infuse with the cinnamon and citrus peels for up to an hour.
- Ensure constant stirring to prevent the custard from curdling.
- A kitchen torch is preferred for caramelizing the sugar to achieve a uniformly crisp top.
Mise en Place
Ingredients
Utensils
- Whole milk
- Cinnamon stick
- Lemon peel
- Orange peel
- Sugar
- Large egg yolks
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla extract (optional)
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
- Heatproof dishes
- Kitchen torch
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