Grandma’s Golden Spanish Natillas Recipe: A Sweet Family Classic

Sweet, creamy, and beloved across Spain, this traditional Spanish natillas recipe captures the essence of homemade comfort.

Generations have savored this delightful custard dessert that whispers memories of childhood kitchens.

Rich egg yolks blend seamlessly with milk, creating a silky texture that melts on your tongue.

Simple ingredients come together in a dance of culinary magic, promising pure indulgence.

The vanilla-infused custard carries a subtle warmth that speaks of Spanish culinary traditions.

Each spoonful promises a delectable journey through classic dessert perfection.

You’ll fall in love with this classic treat that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients List for Traditional Spanish Natillas

• Whole Milk: Provides rich, smooth foundation for creamy custard texture.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious silkiness and enhances overall decadent mouthfeel.

• Sugar: Creates delightful sweetness and helps stabilize custard structure.
• Egg Yolks: Delivers incredible richness and helps thicken dessert naturally.

• Cinnamon Stick: Infuses warm, aromatic essence that defines traditional Spanish dessert profile.
• Vanilla Bean: Introduces deep, complex flavor with elegant fragrant undertones.
• Maria Cookies: Provides classic crispy contrast and authentic Spanish serving tradition.
• Ground Cinnamon: Sprinkles final touch of spicy warmth and visual appeal.

• Cornstarch: Ensures smooth, velvety consistency without lumps.
• Lemon Zest: Adds subtle bright note to balance sweet richness.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor complexity.

Tools Required for Spanish Natillas Cream Dessert

• Large saucepan: Essential for cooking the creamy custard base smoothly and evenly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending egg yolks and mixing ingredients without lumps.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring the custard and preventing it from sticking to the bottom.
• Medium mixing bowl: Needed for separating egg yolks and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Fine mesh strainer: Helps create an extra smooth, silky texture by removing any potential lumps.
• Serving glasses or ramekins: Ideal for presenting and chilling the natillas individually.

Cooking Instructions for Making Spanish Natillas

• Milk Infusion

Warm milk gently with a cinnamon stick, allowing the fragrant spice to seep into the liquid, creating a rich aromatic base for the dessert.

• Egg Preparation

Carefully separate egg yolks, whisking them with sugar until the mixture becomes pale and silky, creating a smooth foundation for the custard.

• Thickening Process

Slowly incorporate the infused milk into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling and ensure a velvety texture.

• Cooking Technique

Transfer the combined mixture to a saucepan, cooking over low heat and stirring constantly until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

• Cooling and Setting

Remove from heat, add a splash of vanilla, and let the custard cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled and firm, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify.

• Garnish and Serving

Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top and place a traditional Maria cookie beside the creamy dessert for an authentic Spanish touch.

Tips & Flavor Ideas for Spanish Natillas

• Replace traditional Maria cookies with homemade shortbread, almond biscuits, or crisp honey wafers to add unexpected texture and complementary flavor profiles that enhance the creamy dessert's delicate nature.
• Slowly incorporate hot milk into egg yolks while continuously whisking to prevent scrambling, creating an ultra-smooth custard base that guarantees a silky, luxurious texture every single time.
• Introduce subtle flavor variations by steeping vanilla bean instead of extract, adding orange zest for brightness, or incorporating a splash of Pedro Ximénez sherry to create a more complex and sophisticated dessert experience.
• Prepare natillas up to two days in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator, which allows flavors to develop and provides a convenient dessert option for busy hosts who want to impress without last-minute stress.

Serving Style for Traditional Spanish Natillas

• Garnish with Cinnamon Sprinkle: Dust the top of the natillas with a light layer of ground cinnamon for an aromatic and visually appealing finish that enhances the dessert's traditional flavor profile.
• Pair with Maria Cookies: Serve alongside crisp Maria cookies, allowing guests to dunk the sweet biscuits into the creamy custard for a delightful textural contrast and authentic Spanish experience.
• Chill for Maximum Enjoyment: Refrigerate the natillas for at least two hours before serving to achieve the perfect smooth, cool consistency that makes this dessert so refreshing and delectable.
• Decorate with Fresh Berries: Add a small cluster of fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side to provide a vibrant pop of color and a tangy complement to the sweet, creamy custard.

Storage Techniques for Spanish Natillas Cream

• Chill and Rest: Store natillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain their silky smooth texture and prevent skin from forming on top.
• Prevent Surface Cracking: Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap touching the custard to block air exposure and keep the dessert looking pristine and creamy.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Prepare natillas a day ahead to allow flavors to blend and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile that will impress your guests.
• Freeze with Caution: While possible to freeze, the texture might slightly change, so it's recommended to enjoy fresh within the recommended refrigeration timeframe for the best culinary experience.

Silky Spanish Natillas

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4.5 from 15 reviews

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

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Description

Creamy natillas dessert delights with rich egg custard perfected in Spanish kitchens. Smooth vanilla-infused pudding offers sweet comfort you’ll savor slowly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean or 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 lemon peel
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 package maria cookies
• ground cinnamon for dusting

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Instructions

1. Infusion Preparation: Gently warm milk with cinnamon stick and vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium-low heat, allowing aromatic essences to permeate the liquid without boiling.
2. Egg Mixture Technique: Whisk egg yolks and sugar until the blend achieves a pale, velvety consistency with a delicate ribbon-like appearance.
3. Milk Integration: Carefully strain the infused milk through a fine-mesh sieve into the egg mixture, removing any cinnamon and vanilla fragments while creating a smooth base.
4. Custard Development: Transfer the combined liquid back to the saucepan, stirring continuously over low heat until the mixture thickens and elegantly coats a wooden spoon, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. Cooling Protocol: Remove from heat, continuing to stir for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure a silky texture, then pour the custard into individual serving dishes.
6. Chilling and Presentation: Allow the custard to cool at room temperature for 20-25 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to develop the traditional Spanish natillas texture.
7. Final Garnish: Dust with ground cinnamon and accompany with a classic Maria cookie just before serving, creating an authentic and visually appealing dessert experience.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling: Stir constantly and maintain low heat to avoid scrambling eggs, ensuring a smooth, silky custard texture.
• Infuse Flavors Gently: Heat milk with cinnamon and vanilla slowly to extract maximum aromatic essence without burning.
• Strain for Smoothness: Use a fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential egg or spice fragments, creating a perfectly refined dessert.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to develop the traditional creamy consistency and enhance flavor depth.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg