Where does Natilla come from?

Natilla — country of origin: Colombia.

What is Natilla made of?

Milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolk, cinnamon, jaggery.

Which allergens does Natilla contain?

Contains eggs and egg products. Contains milk and milk products (including lactose).

Natilla

A Colombian set custard of milk, sugar, cornstarch and panela, thickened on the stove and traditionally served at Christmas with buñuelos.

Also known as: Natilla colombiana · Natilla de Navidad · Colombian natilla

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Egg

Contains eggs and egg products

Milk (including Lactose)

Contains milk and milk products (including lactose)

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Natilla is a thick, spoonable custard from Colombia, cooked on the stove and set cold in a dish. It is most closely associated with the Christmas and Holy Week season.

What it really is

Natilla is cooked from milk, sugar or panela (unrefined cane sugar), cornstarch, and often egg yolk, with cinnamon and sometimes lemon peel or clove added to the pan. The mixture is stirred over moderate heat until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency, then poured into a dish and left to cool and firm. Regional versions vary in sweetness and texture, and some are made with a little cornmeal or without eggs.

Natilla is often confused with flan or crème caramel, which are baked or steamed and set with eggs and usually topped with caramel. Natilla is stirred on the stove, is not baked, and is served without a caramel layer, with a spoonable, soft-set texture.

How it's served

Served chilled in individual bowls or cut into portions from a shallow dish.
Traditionally eaten at Christmas and Holy Week, often alongside buñuelos, fried cheese dough balls.
Cinnamon or a light dusting of ground cinnamon is commonly sprinkled on top before serving.
Eaten with a spoon as a dessert, sometimes with fruit preserves on the side.

Name the key ingredients: milk, panela or sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
Flag MILK on the allergen list, and EGGS if the recipe includes egg yolk.
State whether the custard is made with panela or refined sugar, as this changes colour and flavour.
Note if it is served with buñuelos or another accompaniment, as these may contain WHEAT and EGGS.

Typical ingredients

Put it on your menu with Menuella

Frequently asked questions

What is Natilla?: A Colombian set custard of milk, sugar, cornstarch and panela, thickened on the stove and traditionally served at Christmas with buñuelos.
Where does Natilla come from?: Natilla — country of origin: Colombia.
What is Natilla made of?: Milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolk, cinnamon, jaggery.
Which allergens does Natilla contain?: Contains eggs and egg products. Contains milk and milk products (including lactose).
What is Natilla also known as?: Natilla colombiana, Natilla de Navidad, Colombian natilla.