Something that we love about Spanish desserts is that it isn’t afraid of revisiting the classics and changing things up, like the traditional Spanish custard with orange flavor.
The orange crema catalana is a fantastic creamy dessert, bringing a fresh citrus note to a timeless recipe while preserving its silky texture and signature caramelized topping.
Keep reading this article, and you will learn how to make orange crema catalana, alongside expert tips for serving, storing, and customizing the ingredients.
Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish desserts? Have a look at my other posts:
Background of the Dish
The traditional version of crema catalana was created centuries ago in Catalonia, Spain, where it became one of the region’s most iconic desserts.
This recipe provides the perfect summery twist: by incorporating orange zest, you have a citrusy and refreshing dessert that is ideal for this time of the year.
Other variations of the classic include chocolate crema catalana, which you can also prepare and enjoy as another rich take on one of the sweetest and most beloved desserts of the region.
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Things You’ll Need for Orange Crema Catalana
To prepare the best citrus crema catalana recipe, you will need whole milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and zest of one orange as the main ingredients.
You will also need a kitchen torch if you want it to have the classic caramelized top.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar (plus extra for caramelizing)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (for a fragrant crema catalana with orange zest)
- 1 cinnamon stick
How to Make Orange Crema Catalana – Step by Step Guide
- To start preparing the orange-flavored crema catalana, pour the milk and heavy cream into a saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick and orange zest, then heat over medium-low until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil.
- After that, remove from the heat and let it infuse for 10 minutes to develop that signature citrus aroma typical of a Spanish orange custard dessert.
- Now grab a separate bowl and whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened. Add the cornstarch and mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Then, remove the cinnamon stick from the milk mixture. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- To continue, return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens into a custard. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful so that it doesn’t boil.
- Once thickened, remove the citrus crema catalana from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the custard into individual ramekins, smoothing the tops.
- Now, simply let the traditional crema catalana with orange cool to room temperature, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully set.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden crust. If you don’t have a torch, you can place them briefly under a hot broiler, watching carefully.
- To finish this orange crema catalana recipe, let the caramelized tops harden for a minute, then serve and enjoy.
Substitution of Ingredients
If you want to make the easy orange crema catalana recipe but you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, there’s no need to worry; there are multiple changes you can follow.
To add another depth of flavor to the orange-infused Spanish custard, you can replace the sugar with the same amount of brown sugar, and it will pair perfectly with the citrus flavor.
If you want this recipe’s texture to be closer to that of the original crema catalana, you can replace the amount of heavy cream with the same amount of whole milk.
You can also make this creamy citrus custard dessert with different flavor profiles by using a combo of lemon and orange zest, perfect for a summer dessert.
Do you have some oranges leftover?
Luckily for you, we have more Andalusian recipes where you can put them to good use, such as the Seville orange marmalade, the orange flan, and the Spanish orange cake.
Tips on Serving Orange Crema Catalana
After properly chilling your orange crema catalana, you’ll have a smooth and refreshing dessert ready to enjoy.
To enhance this orange twist on crema catalana, you can serve it topped with a few fresh orange segments to highlight its citrus notes without overpowering the custard.
You can balance the sweetness of this dessert by serving it with strong black coffee, an unsweetened latte, or a black tea.
If you want to add a bit of texture, sprinkle some caramelized nuts, toasted almonds, or even a touch of crushed pistachios on top right before serving.
If you are planning a party or having guests over, then you can serve it alongside other classics like a Spanish flan recipe or even a slice inspired by a chocoflan recipe, creating a Spanish dessert spread with different flavors.
How to Store Orange Crema Catalana
Once you finish making one of the best homemade crema catalana variations, you can enjoy it right away or store it for later.
The easiest way to store it is to cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for up to 3 days (only add the caramelized topping right before serving).
You can’t store the orange crema catalana in the freezer, because its flavors and texture would be negatively affected.
A delicious Andalusian dessert you can make and store for a little bit longer is the popular pumpkin spice flan cake, so feel free to give it a try.
Recipe Card: Orange Crema Catalana
Orange Crema Catalana Recipe
Something that we love about Spanish desserts is that it isn’t afraid of revisiting the classics and changing things up, like the traditional Spanish custard with orange flavor.
The orange crema catalana is a fantastic creamy dessert, bringing a fresh citrus note to a timeless recipe while preserving its silky texture and signature caramelized topping.
Keep reading this article, and you will learn how to make orange crema catalana, alongside expert tips for serving, storing, and customizing the ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar (plus extra for caramelizing)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (for a fragrant crema catalana with orange zest)
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- First, pour the milk and heavy cream into a saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick and orange zest, then heat over medium-low until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil.
- Remove from heat and let it infuse for 10 minutes to develop that signature citrus aroma typical of a Spanish orange custard dessert.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened. Add the cornstarch and mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Remove the cinnamon stick from the milk mixture. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens into a custard. This should take about 8–10 minutes. Make sure it does not boil.
- Once thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the custard into individual ramekins, smoothing the tops.
- Let the custards cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully set.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden crust. If you don’t have a torch, you can place them briefly under a hot broiler, watching carefully.
- Allow the caramelized tops to harden for a minute, then serve the crema catalana with orange zest.
Notes
The sugar is essential for this Spanish custard with caramelized sugar, but if you don't have the equipment to make it, you could replace it by incorporating caramelized nuts or a nice caramel sauce drizzle.
You can replace the heavy cream with the same amount of whole milk, though it might take a bit longer for the orange crema catalana to thicken.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 360Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 12gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 210mgSodium 107mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 0gSugar 27gProtein 9g
All information presented and written are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. The writers and publishers of visitsouthernspain.com are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. Statements within this site have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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