Natilla Colombiana (Christmas Panela Custard)
A firm, sliceable Christmas custard of milk thickened with cornflour and sweetened with panela, scented with cinnamon and cloves and studded with coconut. Served with buñuelos during the December novenas.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Flavor the milk
In a medium pot, heat 750 ml of the milk over medium heat with the , cinnamon sticks, cloves and salt, stirring until the fully melts. Bring to a gentle boil, then fish out the cinnamon sticks and cloves.
- 750 ml whole milk
- 250g , chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 pinch salt
✅ Done when: panela is fully dissolved and the milk is bubbling gently
Dissolve the cornflour
In a bowl, whisk the cornflour into the remaining cold milk until completely smooth, with no lumps.
- 100g cornflour
- 250 ml whole milk, reserved cold
✅ Done when: mixture is smooth with no lumps
Thicken
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Finish
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Set and serve
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Flavor the milk
In a medium pot, heat 750 ml of the milk over medium heat with the , cinnamon sticks, cloves and salt, stirring until the fully melts. Bring to a gentle boil, then fish out the cinnamon sticks and cloves.
- 750 ml whole milk
- 250g , chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 pinch salt
✅ Done when: panela is fully dissolved and the milk is bubbling gently
Dissolve the cornflour
In a bowl, whisk the cornflour into the remaining cold milk until completely smooth, with no lumps.
- 100g cornflour
- 250 ml whole milk, reserved cold
✅ Done when: mixture is smooth with no lumps
Thicken
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Finish
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Set and serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Natilla is the taste of a Colombian December. During the novena de aguinaldos — nine nights of prayers, carols and gatherings from 16 to 24 December — families share natilla and buñuelos with neighbours and friends.
The traditional recipe uses panela, unrefined cane sugar, which gives the custard its caramel colour and deep flavour.
⭐ Why It's Famous
It's inseparable from Christmas — the smell of natilla cooking means the holidays have arrived.
💡 Fun Fact
Making natilla traditionally requires stirring nonstop for ages with a long wooden spoon, a job often passed around the whole family.
Antioquia & the Andean region
6.24°N, -75.58°W
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