Authentic Spanish Delight: Timeless Crema Catalana Recipe

Dessert lovers swoon over this classic crema catalana recipe that hails from the vibrant culinary landscape of Spain.

The silky custard with its caramelized sugar crust has delighted generations of sweet tooth enthusiasts.

Catalans have perfected this delectable treat through centuries of culinary innovation.

Each spoonful delivers a rich, creamy experience that dances between smooth vanilla-infused custard and crackling caramel.

The contrasting textures create a sensational dessert that feels both elegant and comforting.

Grab your kitchen torch and whisk, because this dessert promises to be your next showstopping finale to any meal.

You’ll fall in love with every decadent bite of this traditional Spanish classic.

Serving Crema Catalana the Classic Way

• Pair with Sweet Companions: Complement the Crema Catalana with crisp almond cookies or delicate shortbread that provide a delightful crunch alongside the creamy custard.
• Beverage Brilliance: Serve alongside a chilled glass of sweet Moscatel wine or a robust Spanish espresso to enhance the dessert's rich Mediterranean flavors and create a perfect flavor harmony.
• Garnish with Flair: Decorate the caramelized surface with fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of orange zest to add a vibrant, aromatic touch that elevates the visual and taste experience of this classic Spanish dessert.
• Temperature Timing: Present the Crema Catalana immediately after caramelizing to ensure the sugar crust remains crisp and crackling, offering that signature contrast between the hard caramel and silky custard underneath.

Storing Crema Catalana Smoothly

• Maximize Freshness: Store Crema Catalana in sealed ramekins, keeping plastic wrap directly touching custard surface to prevent skin formation.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep desserts chilled for maximum 4 days, ensuring optimal taste and texture throughout storage period.
• Prevent Sogginess: Place caramelized sugar topping just before serving to maintain crisp, crackling texture that defines this classic Spanish dessert.
• Freeze with Caution: While custard base can be refrigerated, avoid freezing completed Crema Catalana as cream-based desserts lose smooth consistency when thawed.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 366 kcal

Servings: 5

Traditional Crema Catalana – Ingredients Needed

• Egg Yolks: Provides rich, creamy texture and luxurious golden color to the custard.
• Sugar: Essential for sweetness and creating caramelized topping with complex flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the custard and create smooth, stable consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Milk: Creates smooth, silky custard base with delicate dairy richness.
• Lemon Zest: Adds bright, citrusy undertones and fresh aromatic notes.
• Orange Zest: Introduces subtle, sweet citrus complexity to the dessert.
• Cinnamon Stick: Delivers warm, subtle spice and traditional Mediterranean depth.

• Additional Sugar: Used for creating crisp, caramelized golden-brown topping with crackling texture.

Tools for Preparing Crema Catalana the Right Way

• Large bowl: Perfect for whisking egg mixture and holding ingredients.
• Medium heavy-bottomed saucepan: Essential for heating and infusing milk.
• Fine mesh sieve: Crucial for straining custard and ensuring smooth texture.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending and preventing lumps in the mixture.
• 6-ounce ramekins: Necessary for serving individual custard portions.
• Kitchen torch: Critical for caramelizing sugar topping.
• Tongs: Helpful for removing zest and cinnamon stick from hot milk.
• Large measuring cup or spouted mixing bowl: Useful for pouring and straining custard.
• Plastic wrap: Needed for covering and chilling custards.

Instructions for Making Traditional Crema Catalana

• Preparation Zone

Gather essential tools like a sieve, mixing bowl, and ramekins. Create a calm workspace where magic will happen.

• Egg Whisking Symphony

Blend sugar, cornstarch, and salt with egg yolks until the mixture transforms into a silky pale canvas.

• Milk Flavor Dance

Simmer milk with zesty citrus and warm cinnamon, allowing flavors to mingle and whisper their secrets.

• Temperature Harmony

Gently merge hot milk into egg mixture, creating a smooth, velvety custard base with careful, constant whisking.

• Custard Transformation

Cook the mixture over gentle heat, stirring consistently until it thickens and bubbles with creamy anticipation.

• Chilling Interlude

Strain the custard into ramekins, cover tenderly, and let them rest in refrigerator’s cool embrace overnight.

• Caramel Crown

Sprinkle sugar across custard surfaces and use torch to create a golden, crackling caramel layer that sings with sweetness.

• Moment of Glory

Serve immediately, allowing guests to crack through the glassy caramel into the dreamy cream beneath.

Tips & Caramel Options for Crema Catalana

• Sprinkle sugar evenly across the custard surface to ensure a perfectly uniform golden-brown crust when torching.
• Replace traditional lemon and orange zests with grapefruit or lime zests for a unique, unexpected flavor profile that adds brightness to the classic dessert.
• Prepare custards up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, saving time and reducing day-of kitchen stress.
• Use your oven's broiler as an alternative caramelization method by placing ramekins 3-4 inches from the heat source and watching carefully to prevent burning.
• Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve twice for an ultra-smooth, silky consistency that melts perfectly on the tongue.

Silky Crema Catalana

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crema catalana combines Spanish custard with caramelized sugar, creating a silky dessert rich in Mediterranean flavors. Catalan cooks have perfected this classic treat, offering you a delightful blend of creamy texture and crisp caramel topping.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml) whole milk
• 8 egg yolks
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) cornstarch
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 strip lemon zest
• 1 strip orange zest

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position a fine mesh strainer over a large measuring cup. Arrange ramekins for serving the dessert.
2. Base Creation: Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl. Blend egg yolks until the mixture transforms into a pale, silky consistency. Stabilize the bowl on a damp kitchen towel to prevent sliding.
3. Flavor Infusion: Gently heat milk with lemon zest, orange zest, and cinnamon in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Tempering Process: Remove saucepan from heat and extract zest and cinnamon stick. Gradually incorporate hot milk into egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
5. Custard Development: Return combined mixture to saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until the custard thickens and bubbles, approximately 6 minutes. Ensure thorough cooking and consistent texture.
6. Chilling and Setting: Strain custard through fine mesh sieve into measuring cup. Distribute evenly among ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap touching the custard surface. Refrigerate overnight or for 4 hours, maintaining freshness for up to 4 days.
7. Caramelization Technique: Sprinkle remaining sugar over each custard. Ignite kitchen torch, positioning flame 4 inches above sugar. Circulate flame until sugar melts and caramelizes to a rich golden brown, creating a crisp, glossy topping.
8. Serving Presentation: Serve immediately to preserve the caramelized layer’s delicate crunch and prevent softening.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling Carefully: Whisk continuously when adding hot milk to egg yolks to avoid creating scrambled eggs.
• Achieve Smooth Texture: Strain custard through fine mesh sieve to remove any potential lumps or zest fragments for silky perfection.
• Master Caramelization Technique: Use kitchen torch with circular motion, keeping flame 4 inches from sugar to create even, golden-brown caramel without burning.
• Optimal Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate custards overnight or minimum 4 hours, covering directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and maintain creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 71 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg