Description
Crema Catalana is a classic Spanish dessert featuring a silky vanilla and citrus-infused custard topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust. This elegant treat is creamy, light, and perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra sugar for caramelizing
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat the milk with the cinnamon stick, lemon zest, and orange zest until just simmering. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and pale.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and citrus zest, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Divide the custard among ramekins and let cool slightly before refrigerating for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top of each custard and caramelize with a kitchen torch until golden and crisp.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, strain the custard before pouring into ramekins.
- Serve chilled with the sugar topping freshly caramelized.
- If you do not have a kitchen torch, place the ramekins briefly under a broiler to caramelize the sugar.
- Do not boil the custard to avoid curdling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
