Crema catalana is a classic Spanish dessert, similar to French creme brulee: a thick custard, flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, topped with a sugary crust.
Preparation Time
15 mins
Cooking Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Calories
311 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
Step 2
Combine egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Mix in cornstarch.
Step 3
Peel lemon in one piece. Combine milk, lemon peel, cinnamon stick, and vanilla seeds in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat, cover, and allow the milk to get infused with the flavorings for 30 minutes and cool. Whisk egg yolk-sugar mixture into the lukewarm milk.
Step 4
Return to heat and simmer, stirring constantly, over low heat until cream thickens, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove lemon peel and cinnamon stick. Spoon cream into 8 ovenproof ramikens and allow to cool completely, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 5
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar onto each ramiken and set under the broiler until sugar caramelizes, 1 to 2 minutes. Pay close attention so sugar does not burn.
