Vla

Name: Vla
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Dutch
Ingredients: 2 cups whole milk; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (for dusting)

Dutch vanilla custard, thinner than a pudding and served cold from a bowl or spooned over fruit, with a light dusting of cinnamon. It is the everyday Dutch dessert in every grocery chiller. Plan ahead: chill for at least 2 hours.

15 minEasyServes 4210 cal/serving

DutchDessertStovetopVegetarian

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Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (for dusting)

Instructions

1

Whisk 2 cups whole milk (about 1/4 of the total) with 2 tbsp cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth.
2

Pour the rest of the whole milk into a saucepan with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 pinch salt. Heat over medium heat until steaming.
3

Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and keep whisking until the custard thickens and bubbles, about 3 minutes.
4

Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
5

Pour into serving bowls, dust with 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (for dusting), and chill at least 2 hours until set.

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Questions

How long does Vla take?

As written, 15 minutes: 5 of prep and 10 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 5, 2 hours. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What should Vla look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until the custard thickens and bubbles.

Is there a substitute for cornstarch in Vla?

The entry for Vla calls for 2 tbsp cornstarch. In its place: Use twice as much all-purpose flour and cook it a few minutes longer, or the same amount of arrowroot or tapioca starch.

Can I make Vla dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Vla is 2 cups whole milk. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Vla vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 2 cups whole milk. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan dessert collection.

Serve it with

Vietnamese Iced Coffee drink
Red Wine Sangria drink

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