• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken and Turkey
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Meatless
      • Pizza, Sandwiches and Hot Dogs
      • Pasta and Rice
      • Arepas and Tamales
      • Quesadillas and Tacos
      • Soups
      • Stews
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Salads
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Drinks
    • Breads and Cakes
    • Sauces, Condiments and Dips
    • Menus and Lists
  • Videos
  • About
    • More Facts About Me
    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Press
  • Pantry
  • Cookbook
  • Español
My Colombian Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups
  • Desserts
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Español
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    My Colombian Recipes » Recipes » Desserts » Natilla Tradicional Colombiana (colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)

    Natilla Tradicional Colombiana (Colombian Christmas Sweet Custard)

    Nov 27, 2024 · Modified: Nov 27, 2024 by Erica Dinho · 12 Comments

    FacebookPinterestXYummly
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    Natilla ColombianaPin

    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.

    Colombian Natilla IngredientsPin

    Ingredients You'll Need

    The printable recipe card with exact amounts and cooking directions is below.

    Milk: You need to use whole milk to make Natilla. Sugar: Granulated gar

    Panela: If you don't find piloncillo or panela, just replace it with brown sugar

    Cinnamon: Ground to decorate it and sticks to cook it.

    Cornstarch: It helps giving the pudding texture to the recipe.

    Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter.

    Receta de Natilla ColombianaPin

    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!

    How to Make Colombian Natilla

    • 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.
    Natilla Tradicional ColombianaPin

    More Holiday Recipes

    Hojuelas or Hojaldras

    Buñuelos Colombianos (Colombian Buñuelos)

    Colombian Tamales

    Colombian Arroz con Leche

    Colombian Arroz con Pollo

    Natilla Tradicional ColombianaPin

    Natilla Tradicional Colombiana Recipe (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!

    More Desserts Recipes

    Pan De Banano Y Arequipe) Banana And Dulce De Leche BreadCocadas De Arequipe (Dulce De Leche And Coconut Bars)Banana ClafoutisBrevas Con Arequipe (Colombian-Style Figs Stuffed With Dulce De Leche)Easy Sweet Condensed Milk And Crackers Dessert
    FacebookPinterestXYummly

    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
      • vicente Perez

        November 28, 2024 at 3:48 pm

        cuando ponga a calentar la leche con la canela

        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
        • Sara Phelps

          December 20, 2024 at 9:38 pm

          I'd like to make this. What kind of serving dish? Deep? Shallow? Casserole type? 13x9"?
          Thank you!

          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
    7. Pegaita

      September 16, 2024 at 9:05 pm

      Is this with salted butter or unsalted butter?

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Esta publicación está disponible en Español

    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 →

    Let's Connect

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss A Recipe

    Sign Up! for email updates

    Popular

    • Limonada de Fresa
      Limonada de Fresa (Strawberry Limeade)
    • Chicharrones de Guayaba (Guava Paste Pastry)|mycolombianrecipes.com
      Chicharrones de Guayaba (Guava Paste Pastry)
    • Limonada de Coco
      Limonada de Coco (Coconut Limeade)
    • Yuca frita (Yuca or Cassava Fries) |mycolombianrecipes.com
      Yuca Frita (Fried Cassava)

    Get my Cookbook in Spanish Today!

    Get My Colombian Recipes Cookbook

    Trending Recipes

    • Cazuelita de Frijoles (Colombian Beans Cazuela)
      Cazuelita de Frijoles (Colombian Beans Cazuela)
    • Sudado de Posta o Muchacho (Beef Round Steak Stew)
      Sudado de Posta o Muchacho (Beef Round Steak Stew)
    • Pusundao de Carne Serrrana (Salted Beef Stew)
      Pusundao de Carne Serrrana (Salted Beef Stew)
    • Estofado de Carne (Beef Stew) |Mycolombianrecipes.com
      Beef Stew in Tomato Sauce (Estofado de Res)
    • 10 Comforting Winter Stews |mycolombianrecipes.com
      10 Comforting Winter Stews
    • Sudado de Pollo (Colombian-Style Chicken Stew) |mycolombianrecipes.com
      Sudado de Pollo (Colombian-Style Chicken Stew)
    • Sudado de Res (Colombian Beef Stew) |mycolombianrecipes.com
      Colombian Beef Stew (Sudado de Res)
    • Sudado de albondigas (Colombian Meatball Stew) |mycolombianrecipes.com
      Sudado de Albóndigas (Meatball Stew)

    Join the conversation

    1. Anonymous on Chocolate Flan ( Flan de Chocolate)May 2, 2025
    2. Gooner on Bandeja Paisa (Paisa Platter)May 2, 2025
    3. spongebob on Flan de Leche (Traditional Flan)May 2, 2025
    4. Nate Higgers on 10 Traditional Colombian Main Dishes You Must TryMay 2, 2025

    Holiday Recipes

    • Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Cookie Sandwiches)|mycolombianrecipes.com
      Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Cookie Sandwiches)
    • Hojuelas
      Hojuelas o Hojaldras Colombianas (Colombian Hojuelas)
    • Receta de Natilla Colombiana
      Natilla Colombiana (Colombian-Style Pudding)
    • Colombian Recipes for Christmas and New Year's
      Colombian Recipes for Christmas and New Year's
    • Buñuelos Colombianos (Colombian Buñuelos)|mycolombianrecipes.com
      Colombian Buñuelos
    • Sabajon Colombiano(Colombian-Style Eggnog)
      Sabajón Colombiano (Colombian-Style Eggnog)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Terms

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures

    Never Miss a Recipe

    • Sign Up! for email updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    nytlogo
    blogher_featured_badge
    qrv_badge_75x75
    parade featured contributor
    radio_interview
    the latin kitchen

    nbc news logo
    Telemundo_logo
    wfsb_channel_3
    logo foxnews

    Copyright © 2009–2025 My Colombian Recipes ®. All rights reserved. Privacy and Terms.