Description
Crema Catalana is a traditional Spanish dessert similar to crème brûlée, featuring a creamy custard base topped with a crispy caramelized sugar layer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup sugar (for caramelizing)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat until just simmering, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually add a few tablespoons of the warm milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, whisking continuously. Return the saucepan to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and pour the mixture into individual ramekins or a large dish. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Once chilled, sprinkle an even layer of sugar (about 1 tablespoon per ramekin) over the top of each dessert. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a crispy layer. If you don’t have a torch, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Allow the caramelized sugar to cool and harden for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a citrus twist, add the zest of one lemon or orange to the milk mixture before heating.
- Try infusing the milk with other flavors, such as almond extract or coffee, for a unique variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop and broiler
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 150mg