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This is the traditional recipe of the “Abuela” and it’s a delicious, creamy, and almost silky vanilla flan with a touch of cinnamon.  This recipe is similar to a [crema Catalana](https://thecookwaregeek.com/spanish-crema-catalana/) but it is simpler and doesn’t have a caramel crust. Instead, natillas are topped with a maria style cookie. I love recipes that are uncomplicated and tasty. I believe that you don’t need the fanciest and expensive ingredients to make something delicious and tasty. The first step for natillas is to make the milk as flavorful as possible. The two main spices are vanilla (essence) and cinnamon sticks. So, I start by heating the milk over medium heat and adding 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tbsp of vanilla essence, and sugar. I let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Do not let the milk boil because it burns easily and you don’t want your natillas with a smoking burnt taste.  Take the milk out of the stove and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This way, the milk is completely infused with cinnamon and vanilla flavor. Also, this time will allow the milk to chill a bit so you can use it to temper the egg yolks. In the meantime, beat the yolks and mix with the cornstarch. Pour a little bit of milk — about ¼ cup — to temper the eggs and prevent them from cooking too fast and forming hard lumps in the custard.  Then put the milk back into the heat but this time just uses low heat. Slowly add the tempered egg mixture. At this point, it’s best to keep stirring constantly and do not get distracted with your phone — like I always do. Because the custard will start to thicken quickly and you don’t want to burn the custard at the bottom. So, as soon as the consistency is flan-like, remove it from the heat.  Finally, transfer to individual molds or ramekins and top with 1 maria cookie per container. Take to the fridge for at least 4 hours. I prefer to let them overnight so you get a better consistency. For decoration, I like to sprinkle some powdered cinnamon but it is not necessary.   ## Traditional Spanish Natillas These Spanish Natillas are one of the easiest desserts that require absolutely no baking skills. This is the traditional recipe of the “Abuela” and it’s a delicious, creamy, and almost silky vanilla flan with a touch of cinnamon. 5 from 1 vote [Print Recipe](https://thecookwaregeek.com/wprm_print/traditional-spanish-natillas) [Pin Recipe](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecookwaregeek.com%2Ftraditional-natillas-spanish-custard%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fthecookwaregeek.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2Fnatillas-5.jpg&description=Traditional+Spanish+Natillas&is_video=false) Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark Prep Time 0 minutes mins Cook Time 15 minutes mins Fridge time 4 hours hrs Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins Course Dessert Cuisine Spanish Servings 4 people Calories 169\.7 kcal ### Ingredients 1x 2x 3x - 500 ml Whole Milk (About 2 cups) - 4 tbsp sugar - 1 cinnamon stick - 1 tbsp vanilla essence - 4 egg yolks - 1 tbsp cornstarch - 4 maria style cookies ### Instructions - In a pot, heat the milk with the cinnamon stick, sugar, and vanilla essence over medium heat. When the milk is about to start boiling, turn off the heat and let the milk rest for about 10 min. - In the meantime, beat the yolks lightly and add the cornstarch bit by bit to avoid big lumps. Mix until there are no lumps. - Remove the cinnamon stick from the milk. Grab ¼ cup of warm spiced milk and add it to the yolk. Beat slowly to temper the eggs. - Heat the milk over low heat and add the tempered yolks. Stir constantly. At this stage, it should take a minute or two before the mix starts to thicken. As soon as you get a flan-like consistency (see pictures above) take the pot out of the heat. - Pour the natillas into individual ramekins. Top with maria cookies. Take the natillas to the fridge for at least 4 hr (it’s best to leave overnight) ### Nutrition Nutrition Facts Traditional Spanish Natillas Amount Per Serving **Calories** 169.7 Calories from Fat 68 **% Daily Value\*** **Fat** 7.5g**12%** Saturated Fat 3.2g**20%** Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g Monounsaturated Fat 2g **Cholesterol** 194mg**65%** **Sodium** 125mg**5%** **Potassium** 241mg**7%** Fiber 0.3g**1%** Sugar 11g**12%** \* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Tried this recipe?[Let us know](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#comment) how it was\!  [Maria Campos](https://thecookwaregeek.com/author/mb0793/) I’m Maria and I love cooking—and mostly EATING—food from all around the world. I’ve been sharing my abuela’s secret Latin-American recipes for the last 7 years with the world on this blog. I’ve been a full-time food blogger for many years and I’m always trying new delicious meals that don’t require a culinary degree or a Michelin-star chef. I also love traveling, cats, and knitting. Categories [Desserts](https://thecookwaregeek.com/category/geek-recipes/courses/desserts/), [Geek Recipes](https://thecookwaregeek.com/category/geek-recipes/) [Venezuelan Cachapas (Corn Pancakes)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/venezuelan-cachapas-using-canned-corn/) [Honduran Baleadas With Eggs](https://thecookwaregeek.com/honduran-baleadas-with-eggs/) ## 2 thoughts on “Traditional Natillas (Spanish Custard)” 1.  Andy [July 13, 2021 at 11:57 pm](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#comment-1083858) Please never stop posting! Me encantan tus recetas venezolanas [Reply](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#comment-1083858) -  mb0793 [July 14, 2021 at 3:34 am](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#comment-1083871) Me alegra mucho! Thanks a lot for commenting 🙂 [Reply](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#comment-1083871) 5 from 1 vote ([1 rating without comment](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/)) ### Leave a Comment [Cancel reply](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#respond) ## Find Your Recipe ## Popular Posts [](https://thecookwaregeek.com/puerto-rican-quesitos-cream-cheese-pastries/ "Puerto Rican Quesitos (Cream Cheese Pastries)") [Puerto Rican Quesitos (Cream Cheese Pastries)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/puerto-rican-quesitos-cream-cheese-pastries/ "Puerto Rican Quesitos (Cream Cheese Pastries)") [](https://thecookwaregeek.com/chilean-pumpkin-sopaipillas-with-honey/ "Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas With Honey") [Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas With Honey](https://thecookwaregeek.com/chilean-pumpkin-sopaipillas-with-honey/ "Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas With Honey") [](https://thecookwaregeek.com/puerto-rican-sorullitos-de-maiz-corn-fritters/ "Puerto Rican Sorullitos de Maíz (Corn Fritters)") [Puerto Rican Sorullitos de Maíz (Corn Fritters)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/puerto-rican-sorullitos-de-maiz-corn-fritters/ "Puerto Rican Sorullitos de Maíz (Corn Fritters)") [](https://thecookwaregeek.com/papas-rellenas-colombian-meat-stuffed-potatoes/ "Papas rellenas (Colombian Meat Stuffed Potatoes)") [Papas rellenas (Colombian Meat Stuffed Potatoes)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/papas-rellenas-colombian-meat-stuffed-potatoes/ "Papas rellenas (Colombian Meat Stuffed Potatoes)") [](https://thecookwaregeek.com/puerto-rican-bacalaitos-codfish-fritters/ "Puerto Rican Bacalaitos (Codfish Fritters)") [Puerto Rican Bacalaitos (Codfish Fritters)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/puerto-rican-bacalaitos-codfish-fritters/ "Puerto Rican Bacalaitos (Codfish Fritters)") ## Recent Posts - [Veuve Clicquot Terrace Andorra: A Luxurious Après-Ski Experience](https://thecookwaregeek.com/veuve-clicquot-terrace-andorra/) - [San Marzano Sauce (from Scratch)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/san-marzano-sauce-from-scratch/) - [Lupini Beans Recipe (Portuguese Tremoços)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/lupini-beans-recipe-portuguese-tremocos/) - [Osaka Food Guide](https://thecookwaregeek.com/osaka-food-guide/) - [Rikuro’s Cheesecake Review (Most Famous Cheesecake in Japan)](https://thecookwaregeek.com/rikuros-cheesecake-review-most-famous-cheesecake-in-japan/) ## Follow me on Pinterest\! *\*\*Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. 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These Spanish Natillas are one of the easiest desserts that require absolutely no baking skills. This is the traditional recipe of the “Abuela” and it’s a delicious, creamy, and almost silky vanilla flan with a touch of cinnamon.  This recipe is similar to a [crema Catalana](https://thecookwaregeek.com/spanish-crema-catalana/) but it is simpler and doesn’t have a caramel crust. Instead, natillas are topped with a maria style cookie. I love recipes that are uncomplicated and tasty. I believe that you don’t need the fanciest and expensive ingredients to make something delicious and tasty. The first step for natillas is to make the milk as flavorful as possible. The two main spices are vanilla (essence) and cinnamon sticks. So, I start by heating the milk over medium heat and adding 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tbsp of vanilla essence, and sugar. I let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Do not let the milk boil because it burns easily and you don’t want your natillas with a smoking burnt taste.  Take the milk out of the stove and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This way, the milk is completely infused with cinnamon and vanilla flavor. Also, this time will allow the milk to chill a bit so you can use it to temper the egg yolks. In the meantime, beat the yolks and mix with the cornstarch. Pour a little bit of milk — about ¼ cup — to temper the eggs and prevent them from cooking too fast and forming hard lumps in the custard.  Then put the milk back into the heat but this time just uses low heat. Slowly add the tempered egg mixture. At this point, it’s best to keep stirring constantly and do not get distracted with your phone — like I always do. Because the custard will start to thicken quickly and you don’t want to burn the custard at the bottom. So, as soon as the consistency is flan-like, remove it from the heat.  Finally, transfer to individual molds or ramekins and top with 1 maria cookie per container. Take to the fridge for at least 4 hours. I prefer to let them overnight so you get a better consistency. For decoration, I like to sprinkle some powdered cinnamon but it is not necessary.   These Spanish Natillas are one of the easiest desserts that require absolutely no baking skills. This is the traditional recipe of the “Abuela” and it’s a delicious, creamy, and almost silky vanilla flan with a touch of cinnamon. 5 from 1 vote Prep Time 0 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Fridge time 4 hours Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes Course Dessert Cuisine Spanish Servings 4 people Calories 169\.7 kcal - 500 ml Whole Milk (About 2 cups) - 4 tbsp sugar - 1 cinnamon stick - 1 tbsp vanilla essence - 4 egg yolks - 1 tbsp cornstarch - 4 maria style cookies - In a pot, heat the milk with the cinnamon stick, sugar, and vanilla essence over medium heat. When the milk is about to start boiling, turn off the heat and let the milk rest for about 10 min. - In the meantime, beat the yolks lightly and add the cornstarch bit by bit to avoid big lumps. Mix until there are no lumps. - Remove the cinnamon stick from the milk. Grab ¼ cup of warm spiced milk and add it to the yolk. Beat slowly to temper the eggs. - Heat the milk over low heat and add the tempered yolks. Stir constantly. At this stage, it should take a minute or two before the mix starts to thicken. As soon as you get a flan-like consistency (see pictures above) take the pot out of the heat. - Pour the natillas into individual ramekins. Top with maria cookies. Take the natillas to the fridge for at least 4 hr (it’s best to leave overnight) Nutrition Facts Traditional Spanish Natillas Amount Per Serving **Calories** 169.7 Calories from Fat 68 **% Daily Value\*** **Fat** 7.5g**12%** Saturated Fat 3.2g**20%** Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g Monounsaturated Fat 2g **Cholesterol** 194mg**65%** **Sodium** 125mg**5%** **Potassium** 241mg**7%** Fiber 0.3g**1%** Sugar 11g**12%** \* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. [Let us know](https://thecookwaregeek.com/traditional-natillas-spanish-custard/#comment) how it was\!  I’m Maria and I love cooking—and mostly EATING—food from all around the world. I’ve been sharing my abuela’s secret Latin-American recipes for the last 7 years with the world on this blog. I’ve been a full-time food blogger for many years and I’m always trying new delicious meals that don’t require a culinary degree or a Michelin-star chef. I also love traveling, cats, and knitting.