Description
Experience the delightful contrast of a crispy shell and warm, silky custard with this traditional Spanish dessert, leche frita.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1,000 ml (4 cups) whole milk
- 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 100 g (1 cup) cornstarch
- 40 g (⅓ cup) all-purpose flour
- 2 large egg yolks
- 30 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1 large strip lemon peel
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 100 g (¾ cup) all-purpose flour (for coating)
- 2 large eggs, beaten (for coating)
- 200 g (2 cups) plain fine breadcrumbs or panko (for coating)
- Neutral frying oil (enough for 5 cm depth)
Instructions
- Pour 1,000 ml whole milk into a saucepan. Add lemon peel and cinnamon stick, bringing to a gentle simmer for 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt until even.
- Discard lemon peel and cinnamon stick; reserve 240 ml warm milk. Whisk dry mix into hot milk until smooth. In another bowl, beat egg yolks with reserved milk, then pour into saucepan while whisking. Cook for 6–8 minutes until thick.
- Off the heat, whisk in butter and adjust sugar if needed. Transfer custard to a baking pan and press plastic wrap onto surface. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Turn the chilled custard onto a cutting board and cut into squares. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil to 175°C (350°F) in a skillet. Fry the squares in batches for 1–1½ minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Dust each piece with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon while warm. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
For gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with extra cornstarch; for dairy-free, use coconut milk and oat milk. Serve with marmalade or fruit compote for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg