Homemade Cuban-Style Vanilla Custard.

 

Traditional Cuban-Style Vanilla Custard

Vanilla custard is one of those desserts that evokes our grandmothers’ kitchens. With its smooth texture, enveloping aroma, and touch of cinnamon, it is ideal to crown a family lunch or to surprise everyone at a special gathering.

🥛 Necessary ingredients:

  • 1 liter of whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 pieces of lemon peel
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Sweet María cookies
  • Ground cinnamon to taste

 

 

🍯 Infuse the milk:

Pour the milk into a large pot, add the salt, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel. Heat over medium-high, without letting it boil. When very hot, turn off the burner, cover, and let the flavors blend while it cools a little.

🥄 Mix the base:

In a large bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until you get a homogeneous mixture. Add the cornstarch dissolved in water and keep stirring to avoid lumps.

🔄 Strain and combine:

Use a steel strainer to pour the infused milk over the egg mixture. Stir well and strain everything again into the original pot to remove impurities.

🔥 Cook the custard:

Place the pot over medium-high heat and stir constantly to prevent sticking or lumps. When it thickens and acquires a creamy texture, add the vanilla extract and mix for a couple more minutes before turning off the heat.

🍮 Assemble and cool:

Place a María cookie at the bottom of each small bowl. Fill them with the custard while still hot, sprinkle ground cinnamon, and if you wish, add another cookie or decorate with meringue made from the leftover egg whites. Let cool at room temperature and refrigerate until serving.

ℹ️ Useful information:

  • Yields: 8 servings
  • Preparation time: 35 minutes
  • Final cooking time: 25 minutes
  • Rest and refrigeration: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Cuisine: Cuban 

💡 Grandma’s suggestion:

After enjoying this delight, accompany it with a freshly brewed coffee and savor the joy of family sobremesa. Pure Cuban flavor!

What special touch would you add? Leave it in the comments and share this recipe so more people can relive this classic homemade dessert.

🏷️ Tags: vanilla custard, Cuban desserts, homemade sweets, grandma’s recipes, Creole cuisine, traditional cuisine, homemade custard

For the Spanish recipe, visit: Natilla de Vainilla de la Abuela: Un Postre que Endulza Recuerdos.