5-Step Delicious Spanish Leche Frita Recipe
Leche frita, a Spanish classic, dazzles with its crispy golden crust and velvety custard center. This easy-to-make dessert turns simple ingredients like milk, sugar, and cinnamon into a crave-worthy treat. Perfect for celebrations or cozy evenings, it’s a statement of Spain’s love for balancing rich flavors and textures. Dive into this foolproof recipe to master a nostalgic and irresistible dish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup Cornstarch
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
- Lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and eggs until well combined. Slowly pour this mixture into the simmering milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and resembles a thick custard. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon zest.
- Pour the custard into a greased square or rectangular dish, spreading it evenly. Smooth the surface with a spatula. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until it sets completely.
- Once the custard is chilled and set, remove it from the refrigerator. Cut it into small squares or rectangles.
- In a shallow dish, place the flour. Take each custard square and coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the coated custard squares into the hot oil, frying them in batches until they turn golden brown and crisp on all sides. This process should take about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried custard squares onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
- Once all the custard squares are fried, arrange them on a serving platter. Dust them generously with powdered sugar and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Optionally, you can garnish with some additional lemon zest.
- Serve the Leche Frita while still warm.
Notes
It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a ham of your choice.