Golden Spanish Natillas: A Sweet Classic Recipe

Sweet, silky, and steeped in centuries of culinary tradition, Spanish natillas dance across your palate with delightful creamy elegance.

This classic Spanish custard brings comfort and pure joy to every spoonful.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this delectable dessert, passing down techniques that create pure magic in a simple dish.

Rich egg yolks blend seamlessly with delicate milk and sugar, creating a smooth texture that melts like velvet on your tongue.

The subtle hint of cinnamon adds warmth and depth to this beloved treat.

Each serving tells a story of Spanish kitchens, where love and passion simmer together in culinary harmony.

Dive into this recipe and savor a taste of authentic Spanish sweetness that will transport you straight to the sunny streets of Madrid.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 221 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Used in Traditional Spanish Natillas

• Milk: Creamy foundation that carries the delicate cinnamon and vanilla flavors, choose whole milk for richness.
• Sugar: Provides balanced sweetness and helps create smooth, silky texture.
• Vanilla Essence: Adds elegant aromatic depth and enhances overall dessert complexity.
• Cinnamon Stick: Infuses warm, spicy undertones and creates sophisticated background note.

• Egg Yolks: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and provides rich golden color.
• Cornstarch: Ensures perfect pudding-like consistency and prevents potential egg scrambling.

• Maria Cookies: Traditional Spanish cookie that adds delightful crunch and classic presentation, select crisp, fresh cookies.

Tools to Cook This Classic Spanish Dessert

• Saucepan: Medium-sized pot for heating milk and creating smooth custard base.
• Whisk: Essential for beating egg yolks and mixing ingredients without lumps.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for combining egg yolks and cornstarch smoothly.
• Ramekins: Small individual serving dishes for portioning and chilling dessert.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir mixture while cooking and prevents sticking.
• Measuring cups: Precise measurement of ingredients like milk and cornstarch.

How to Prepare Creamy Natillas from Scratch

• Milk Infusion

Gently warm milk with aromatic cinnamon and sweet vanilla, creating a fragrant base that will transform into a silky dessert. Let the flavors mingle and soften over gentle heat.

• Egg Preparation

Whisk golden egg yolks to a smooth texture, carefully blending in cornstarch to ensure a luxurious, velvety consistency without any pesky lumps.

• Temperature Harmony

Delicately introduce warm milk into the egg mixture, stirring gently to prevent curdling and create a seamless integration of ingredients.

• Creamy Transformation

Slowly cook the combined mixture, stirring consistently until it thickens to a luscious, pudding-like texture that coats the back of a spoon.

• Chilling Magic

Transfer the smooth custard into elegant serving dishes, crown with delicate Maria cookies, and allow the dessert to rest and set in the cool embrace of the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Flavor Enhancements and Texture Tips

• Adjust the cinnamon strength by steeping the stick longer or using ground cinnamon for a more pronounced flavor profile.
• Replace traditional Maria cookies with crushed speculoos, graham crackers, or homemade almond biscuits for a unique textural twist.
• Whisk egg yolks gently and strain the mixture to ensure a silky, lump-free custard that sets perfectly every time.
• Infuse milk with additional aromatics like orange zest, cardamom, or a splash of brandy to create a more complex and sophisticated dessert.
• Swap whole milk with almond or coconut milk for a lighter version, and use cornstarch alternatives like arrowroot for gluten-sensitive guests.

Serving Natillas the Authentic Way

• Festive Cookie Crunch: Sprinkle additional crushed Maria cookies on top for extra texture and a delightful crunch that complements the creamy custard.
• Spanish Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a small shot of sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry to enhance the traditional flavors and create an authentic Spanish dining experience.
• Cinnamon Dust Delight: Lightly dust the surface with ground cinnamon just before serving to add a beautiful visual touch and intensify the aromatic spice profile of the natillas.
• Seasonal Berry Accent: Add a few fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries on the side to provide a tangy contrast to the rich, smooth custard and create a colorful presentation.

How to Chill and Store Spanish Custard

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate natillas for minimum 4 hours, allowing flavors to develop and texture to set perfectly for a smooth, creamy dessert experience.
• Ramekin Storage Tips: Keep covered with plastic wrap to prevent moisture absorption and maintain the delicate surface of the custard, protecting its silky consistency.
• Freshness Window: Enjoy natillas within 3-4 days when stored in sealed containers in the refrigerator, ensuring optimal taste and texture throughout the storage period.
• Cookie Crunch Preservation: Add Maria cookies just before serving to maintain their crisp texture, preventing soggy absorption and keeping the delightful crunch intact.

Silky Spanish Natillas Dessert

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy Spanish natillas blend rich custard with delicate cinnamon notes, creating a luxurious dessert that embodies Mediterranean sweetness. Home cooks can easily craft this classic treat, delighting palates with its smooth, silky texture and comforting flavor profile.

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Ingredients

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• 4 egg yolks
• 500 ml (2 cups) whole milk
• 4 tbsps sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 maria style cookies

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Instructions

1. Milk Infusion: Gently warm whole milk with cinnamon stick, sugar, and vanilla essence in a saucepan, heating until just before boiling, then let steep for 10 minutes to develop rich, aromatic flavors.
2. Egg Preparation: Whisk egg yolks in a separate bowl, blending cornstarch smoothly to create a silky, uniform mixture without any lumps.
3. Tempering Process: Remove cinnamon stick from infused milk, then gradually incorporate a small amount of warm milk into egg mixture, carefully raising egg temperature to prevent curdling.
4. Custard Creation: Return combined liquid to low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens into a luxurious, smooth custard with a consistent, velvety texture.
5. Serving and Chilling: Pour the creamy natillas into individual ramekins, top with crisp Maria cookies, and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and custard to set completely.

Notes

• Master Tempering Technique: Slowly add hot milk to egg yolks to prevent scrambling, creating a smooth custard base without lumps or curdling.
• Infusion is Key: Allow cinnamon and vanilla to steep in milk for full flavor development, transforming a simple dessert into an aromatic Spanish delicacy.
• Consistent Stirring Matters: Continuously whisk the custard over low heat to achieve a silky, thick consistency without burning or creating unwanted texture.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate natillas for at least 4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor complexity and achieve the ideal creamy, set texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 221
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 53 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 108 mg