As a Latinx kid growing up in America, I was taught that the signature flavors of Christmas are peppermint candy canes and ice cream cookies. But in my Colombian household, the season was marked by two traditional treats: deep-fried cheese donuts (buñuelos) and a chilled milk pudding called Natilla. Every year when my extended family got together on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), the kids would flock to the table to sneak a bite or two while our unsuspecting parents danced to cumbia in the background. I remember my cousins swarming the tray of hot buñuelos while I ran to the fridge for a cold slice of Natilla – my favorite. As an adult, I still feel like Christmas isn’t complete without Natilla. That’s why I decided to learn how to make it myself and now my Nochebuenas are as delicious and Colombian as ever.
Why do Colombians eat Natilla on Nochebuena?
Colombian natilla was adopted from a Spanish dessert called “natillas”. Although the exact origin of the dish is unknown, it is widely believed that the dessert was developed by nuns in Spain centuries ago and then introduced to South American countries during the Spanish Inquisition. In Colombia, the recipe for natilla and the culture that surrounds it has changed over time. Eventually, natilla became a traditional Christmas dish, although it can be found year-round in Colombia.
What is Colombian Natilla made of?
While Spanish “natillas” are a custard made with milk and eggs, Colombian natilla contains no eggs at all. In Colombia, the pudding typically starts with a cinnamon-flavored milk base sweetened with panela — a sweetener made from pure sugar cane — and then thickened with cornstarch before being chilled in the refrigerator overnight. Natilla sweetened with panela is the most traditional type of natilla. Panela gives the Natilla a unique caramel-like taste and a rich, brown colour. But it’s not uncommon to find coconut, caramel, or raisin variations as well. If panela is not available, brown sugar will do.
What does Natilla mean in English?
Natilla directly translates to “custard” in English.
Is Natilla Flan similar?
Although they may look similar, natilla and flan are completely different desserts. Flan is an egg-based pudding while Colombian natilla is made with milk and cornstarch. Flan is baked while natilla is cooked and then cooled. And while flan is usually topped with a liquid caramel sauce, natilla is topped with ground cinnamon and shredded coconut.
Here’s how to do it.
Remarks
For a more traditional flavor, use ground panela instead of brown sugar.
Once you’ve added your cornstarch mixture to the boiling milk, don’t stop stirring. If you stop stirring, the milk will burn.
ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups milk, whole
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup grated coconut (optional)
directions
- Separate milk into 3 1/2 cup and 1 cup portions.
- Pour 3 1/2 cups milk and cinnamon sticks into a medium saucepan. Bring to a light simmer.
- When bubbles form around the edges and the milk begins to foam, remove the cinnamon sticks, then add the sugar, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and salt. Mix well.
- For the 1 cup of milk, add cornstarch on the side and stir until fully combined.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the frothed milk. Reduce the heat to a minimum, then start stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
- Continue stirring continuously for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened enough that you can see the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heater.
- Add butter and coconut flakes. Once fully incorporated, pour the pudding mixture into your preferred shape, cover with plastic wrap, then place in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
- When completely chilled, remove the pudding from the refrigerator and carefully invert the mold over a plate to release the natilla.
- Sprinkle the natilla generously with ground cinnamon and grated coconut, then slice and serve with hot buñuelos.
information
- yield
- 8-10 servings
- total time
- 19 minutes, 59 seconds
Image Credit: POPSUGAR Photography / Ashley Ortiz