Description
Leche frita is a classic Spanish dessert, featuring creamy custard with a crunchy exterior, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 liter whole milk (or skim or plant-based milk)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Peel of half a lemon (or whole small lemon)
- Peel of half an orange
- 150 g sugar
- 120 g cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 egg yolks (or 3 extra tablespoons of cornstarch if not using yolks)
- 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
- 1 tbsp anise (optional)
- 30 g butter (optional for creaminess)
- 2 eggs
- 90 g cornstarch for breading
- 500 ml mild oil (such as sunflower, canola, or soybean)
- 60 g sugar for coating
Instructions
- Prepare a square baking dish (20×20 cm) by greasing it with oil or non-stick spray.
- Infuse 750 ml of milk in a saucepan with sugar, citrus peels, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove peels and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix the remaining milk with cornstarch and salt. Add egg yolks, vanilla, and anise (if using) and mix well.
- Combine the infused milk with the cornstarch mixture and return to the saucepan, cooking over low heat while stirring until thick (about 10 minutes).
- Remove from heat, strain to remove lumps, and mix in the butter.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish, covering with plastic wrap in direct contact. Let it cool in the refrigerator overnight.
- Grease a cutting board, unmold the set cream and cut it into squares.
- Beat eggs in one bowl and place cornstarch in another. Coat the squares with cornstarch first, then dip in eggs. Fry in hot oil until golden brown on each side, 1-2 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels and coat with sugar. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bit of almond extract along with vanilla. Ensure complete cooling in the fridge for easier handling while cutting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Leche Frita, Spanish dessert, custard, fried dessert