Indulge in the silky decadence of Orange Catalonian Cream, a vibrant twist on the classic Spanish dessert, crema catalana. Infused with fresh orange zest and fragrant cinnamon, this creamy custard captivates with its delicate citrus aroma and velvety texture. Smoothly thickened with egg yolks and cornstarch, the rich base is balanced by a crisp caramelized layer of brown sugar, achieved with a quick touch of a culinary torch. Perfectly chilled and topped with a golden, crackling crust, this dessert offers a delightful contrast of creamy and crunchy in every bite. Whether served as an elegant dinner finale or a special treat, this Orange Catalonian Cream is sure to enchant any sweet-tooth craving bold flavors and refined textures.
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, orange zest, and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk starts to steam but does not boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and pale yellow.
Strain the infused milk through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the orange zest and cinnamon stick. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk. Continue until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 8–10 minutes. Do not let it boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the cream into four shallow ramekins or dessert bowls, smoothing the tops with a spoon.
Allow the cream to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled and set.
Before serving, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of brown sugar evenly over the surface of each ramekin. Use a culinary torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a golden, crisp crust. Let the sugar harden for 1–2 minutes.
Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy orange flavors with a crackling caramelized topping!
Calories |
1116 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.2 g | 50% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.6 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 984 mg | 328% | |
| Sodium | 242 mg | 11% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 160.7 g | 58% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 137.7 g | ||
| Protein | 30.6 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.0 mcg | 40% | |
| Calcium | 790 mg | 61% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 916 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.