Crema Catalana Cookies
These aren’t your everyday run of the mill cookies. I wouldn’t be satisfied with that. Two years ago I made these Babka Cookies that I still dream about. Last year I made Churro Cookies, complete with melted chocolate for dipping. This year, in keeping with the Spanish theme, I bring you these Crema Catalana Cookies! If you’re not familiar with crema catalana—think crème brûlée but made with milk instead of cream and infused with citrus (in this case orange zest) and cinnamon. I personally think it’s better than crème brûlée and so I wanted to spread the word this holiday season by turning that classic Spanish treat into these delicious holiday cookies. You won’t be able to resist them.
If you’re looking to spruce things up this holiday season and give your cookies a makeover, then I really do hope you’ll give these a try. They’re really incredible. I feel like I could describe the taste and texture to you, but honestly I wouldn’t do it justice. You have to just trust me and make them for yourself because they’re sure to become your new favorite treat. Let me know what you think below and as always, thank you so much for following along and reading!
Crema Catalana Cookies
Equipment
- Stand or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Piping bag and tip
- Kitchen blowtorch
- 2-inch round cookie cutter
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 3 large egg yolks room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 orange zested
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1 orange zested
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, egg yolks, vanilla extract, almond extract, orange zest and cinnamon and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and stir until the dough comes together. Divide in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour, or until firm enough to roll.
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Working with one half of dough at a time, roll out onto a lightly floured work surface, to 1/2-inch thick. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them out 1-inch apart. Bake until lightly golden brown around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, to make the topping, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, orange, and cinnamon until creamy and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag, fitted with a plain circle tip.
- Place the 1/3 cup granulated sugar into a small shallow dish. Once the cookies have cooled completely, pip out a thin layer of the topping onto each cookie making a circle in the center. Dip upside down into the granulated sugar and then carefully caramelize the top with a kitchen blowtorch. Serve immediately or store in the fridge in an airtight container (with sheets of wax or parchment paper in between) for up to 4 days. Enjoy!
