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    My Colombian Recipes » Recipes » Christmas and New Year » Natilla Tradicional Colombiana (colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)

    Natilla Tradicional Colombiana (Colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)

    Nov 15, 2022 by Erica Dinho · 9 Comments

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    Colombian Natilla is a sweet custard that is traditionally served during Colombian Christmas gatherings with buñuelos and hojuelas.

    Natilla Tradicional ColombianaPin

    This traditional Colombian Natilla recipe is made with panela, a sweet brown product made from sugar cane, also known as piloncillo in Mexico. Panela is the key ingredient to make a traditional Colombian Natilla and gives this dessert a beautiful caramel color and special flavor. If you don’t find panela for this traditional recipe, just replace it with brown sugar.

    Some people in Colombia add Aguardiente (anise flavor liquor) to their Natilla, feel free to add a couple of tablespoons of this drink if you want. I also have friends that like to add cheese to their Colombian Natilla recipe.

    Natilla Tradicional ColombianaPin

    Natilla Tradicional Colombiana (Colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)

    Erica Dinho
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Christmas, Dessert
    Cuisine Colombian
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 139 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 5 cups of milk divided
    • ½ cup of sugar
    • ½ cup of grated panela or brown sugar
    • 3 cinnamon sticks
    • 1 and ¼ cup cornstarch
    • 1 tablespoon of butter
    • Ground cinnamon for serving

    Instructions
     

    • Pour 4 cups of milk into a big pot. Then add the sugar, panela and cinnamon sticks. Stir all ingredients with a wooden spoon and bring milk to a boil over medium low heat.
    • When the milk comes to a boil, remove from the stove and let it sit for about 2 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with the remaining milk until dissolved.
    • Put the pot back on the stove over medium low heat. Remove the cinnamon sticks and pour the dissolved cornstarch into the hot milk and butter. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it thickens and you can see the bottom of the pot.
    • Pour immediately into a serving dish and let it cool for at least an hour. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

    Notes

    *You can't stop stirring natilla with a wooden spoon while making it, it will burn very easy.
    *You can make it one day ahead and store in a glass container or a platter. Cover with plastic.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 52mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 209IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 142mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword colombian natilla, natilla colombiana
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mycolombianrecipes and tag #mycolombianrecipes!

    There are many variations of Natilla in Colombia. If you’re looking for a twist to traditional Colombian Natilla, you can find my grandmother’s recipe here, which is made with sweet condensed milk, coconut milk and shredded coconut. The difference between Mamita’s Natilla and traditional Natilla, is that hers does not contain panela instead she uses sweet condensed milk and coconut. That is why Mamita’s Natilla is so special and delicious!

    Buen provecho and Happy Holidays!

    Natilla ColombianaPin
    Receta de Natilla ColombianaPin
    Natilla Tradicional ColombianaPin

    Other Colombian recipes to make during the holidays:

    Hojuelas or Hojaldras

    Buñuelos Colombianos (Colombian Buñuelos)

    Colombian Tamales

    Colombian Arroz con Leche

    Colombian Arroz con Pollo

    More Christmas and New Year Recipes

    Sabajón Colombiano (Colombian-Style Eggnog)Colombian BuñuelosMom’s Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombianos De Mi Mamá)Lechona Tolimense (Colombian-Style Stuffed Pork)Natilla Tradicional Colombiana (Colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)
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    About Erica Dinho

    My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

    Author Page →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Juliana

      December 03, 2018 at 2:46 am

      5 stars
      Hola Erica, muchas gracias por tus recetas, todas las que he tratado han sido muy ricas. Quisiera preguntarte algo, quiero agregarle coco rallado, en que momento de la receta debo hacerlo? Muchas gracias

      Reply
    2. Yvonne

      December 18, 2018 at 5:39 am

      5 stars
      Hola! Me facina la Natilla, me acuerda a cuando era chiquita y mi abuela la cocinaba solo para mi.
      Me invitaron a una cena de Navidad, y quisiera traer Natilla. Pero la familia donde voy es vegana. Cual leche vegana me recomiendas para la receta? Estaba pensando entre leche de almendas o leche de avena. Pero no se cual podria hacerle justicia a la Natilla

      Reply
      • Olga

        December 30, 2018 at 8:21 pm

        5 stars
        No soy una experta en el tema pero creo que la leche de coco serviría para esta receta y además le daría un toque muy especial.

        Reply
        • Ivette

          December 12, 2022 at 8:28 am

          5 stars
          Just a tip, you could sift the cornstarch and add little bits to the milk to slowly dissolve. You want to do that step in a large bowl, don't be lazy and try to do it in a measuring cup like I did, that did not work at all! Also watch it like a hawk once you add the cornstarch milk to the hot milk because it can curdle really fast if you're not watching it. Mine curdled and I took it off the heat and furiously whisked it, I added coconut flakes that helped to hide the texture issues lol. I have always made the natilla from the box but this recipe was excellent!

          Reply
    3. Coco in the Kitchen

      December 02, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      Giiiiiiiiiiirl, this looks divine! I've gotta give it a try!

      Reply
    4. Maria

      January 12, 2021 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      My boyfriend is from Cali, has not had Natilla in about 16 years...I am going to make this for him. Wish me luck!

      Reply
    5. Maha Jaramillo

      December 09, 2021 at 1:53 am

      5 stars
      Seguro esta muy sabrosa la natilla!

      Reply
    6. Anonymous

      December 12, 2022 at 11:50 am

      Do you have to refrigerate or anything if you are saving it for the next day? I know you said to cover it but I want to make sure it doesn’t need refrigerated.

      Reply
      • Erica Dinho

        December 12, 2022 at 12:59 pm

        I usually keep it in the fridge.

        Reply

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    Erica Dinho Author | My Colombian Recipes

    Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

    More about me →

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