Crema Catalana (creamy Catalan-style Custard)
Crema Catalana, also known as Catalan-style custard, is a classic dessert from the Catalonia region of Spain. It is a creamy and indulgent dessert with a caramelized sugar topping that adds a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Peel of 1 lemon
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat the milk with the cinnamon stick and lemon peel over medium heat until it almost comes to a boil. Remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes. Then, remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until well combined.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Divide the custard into serving dishes and let them cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar on top of each custard. Caramelize the sugar using a kitchen torch or by placing the dishes under the broiler until the sugar melts and turns golden brown.
- Let the sugar topping harden for a few minutes, then serve the crema catalana immediately.
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 15 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 10 minutes
- Total time:
- 25 minutes
- Cooking method
- Stovetop
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 250 per serving
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 12g
- Protein
- 6g
Supplies
Saucepan Whisk Serving dishes
Tools
Kitchen torch (or broiler)
Serving suggestions
Serve the crema catalana with fresh berries or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top for an extra burst of flavor.
Tips & tricks
Be careful when caramelizing the sugar topping to avoid burning it. Keep a close eye on the process to achieve a perfect golden-brown finish.
Cost
$8