Portugal · Portugal

Leite Creme (Portuguese Thickened Milk Pudding)

Name: Leite Creme (Portuguese Thickened Milk Pudding)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Portugal
Ingredients: whole milk 800 ml; sugar 150 g; egg yolks 6 pieces; cornstarch 40 g; lemon zest 10 g; ground cinnamon 5 g

A thick, burnished custard dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

30 minutes · 6 servings · Easy

Leite creme is the Portuguese caramel-topped pudding, closer in spirit to a firm set custard than to an Italian pannacotta, and it is a staple of school canteens. It is baked until the sugar on top takes on a dark burnished colour, which is a matter of timing rather than of recipe. Served cold, it should hold its shape on the spoon and wobble only slightly.

Ingredients

whole milk800 ml
sugar150 g
egg yolks6 pieces
cornstarch40 g
lemon zest10 g
ground cinnamon5 g

Directions

1
Mix starch with a little milk to a smooth slurry.
2
Heat the rest of the milk with sugar and zest; add slurry; cook 8 minutes until thick.
3
Whisk in the yolks 3 minutes; strain into caramelised dishes.
4
Caramelise the tops under a hot grill 3 minutes; dust with cinnamon.

Source: WorldBite Editorial · WorldBite Proprietary Editorial Content