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How to Make Catalan Cream

By Lisa & Tony Sierra, About.com

1 of 4

Crema Catalana - How to Make Catalan Cream

Crema Catalana

crema catalana (c) 2007 Lisa Sierra Licensed to About.com

Lisa Sierra
Crema Catalana or Catalan Cream is the Spanish version of the French dessert, crème brulée. Due to the close proximity of the region of Cataluña to France, there are those who believe the famous French dessert actually originated in Cataluña. Wherever it originated won’t really matter to you as you are eating this luscious dessert, letting it dissolve in your mouth! It is a very appropriate dessert for Spring, since it is also called Crema de Sant Josep, or St. Joseph’s cream and is traditionally prepared on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day (the Spanish equivalent of Father’s Day in the USA.)

Just before serving, it is traditional in Cataluña to place a heated iron with a spiral shape to brown and caramelize the top of the crema catalana. If your kitchen equipment doesn’t include a spiral-shaped hot iron, don’t worry! Simply caramelize the sugar under the broiler of your oven.

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 Stick Cinnamon
  • Grated rind of ½ Lemon
  • 2 cups Milk

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Refrigeration Time: 3 hours

Serves Four

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