Oven-baked leche frita

Ingredients

• 1 liter whole milk
• 200 g sugar
• 150 g wheat flour
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Peel of half a lemon
• 3 eggs
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Ground cinnamon, to decorate

Step-by-step preparation

1. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick and lemon peel. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
2. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and gradually add the flour, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
3. Keep stirring for about 10–15 minutes, until the mixture is thick and smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased dish and let it cool for at least 2 hours, until cold and firm.
5. Once cold and firm, preheat the oven to 200 °C.
6. Cut the set custard into squares or rectangles of the size you want and place them on a greased baking tray.
7. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl.
8. Dip each square in the beaten egg and return it to the baking tray.
9. Bake for about 15–20 minutes, until golden and crisp on both sides.
10. Remove the squares from the oven and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
11. Serve the leche frita warm, dusted with a little ground cinnamon.