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Spanish Crème Brûlée: Crema Catalana


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  • Author: Filippo Trapella
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

A creamy, dreamy custard with a crackly caramelized sugar crust. Classic Spanish dessert perfection!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 qt (950 ml) whole milk
  • 8 yolks
  • 4 tbsp (60 g) cornstarch
  • 1 organic lemon
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 11 tbsp (160 g) caster sugar

Instructions

  1. FLAVORED MILK: Pour milk into a pot. Add lemon zest and 2 cinnamon sticks. Heat over medium heat until simmering.
  2. EGGS AND SUGAR: Crack eggs and separate yolks from whites. Whisk egg yolks with 11 tbsp sugar and 4.5 tbsp sifted cornstarch until fluffy.
  3. PREPARING THE EGG CREAM: Once milk simmers, remove from heat and immediately add egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly until consistent. Return to minimum heat and whisk until desired density is reached. Pour into serving bowls, cover with plastic wrap to retain moisture, and refrigerate for a couple of hours after reaching room temperature.
  4. CREMA CATALANA CRUST: Before serving, cover with a thin layer of sugar and torch until caramelized. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use vanilla bean paste instead of lemon zest.
  • If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can broil the brûlée for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  • Properly chilled crème brûlée will have a firmer consistency. Allow at least 4 hours refrigeration.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven-Baking
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ramekin
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 30
  • Sodium: 50
  • Fat: 15
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5
  • Carbohydrates: 35
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 5
  • Cholesterol: 150