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Yemas de Ávila
Sugared egg-yolk sweets
Yemas de Ávila: sugared egg-yolk sweets from the walled city of Ávila
Inside Ávila's medieval walls, little boxes of yemas are the souvenir every visitor carries home: soft, deep-yellow balls of egg yolk cooked with sugar syrup, rolled in sugar and set in paper cases. They are linked with Saint Teresa, the city's famous nun, and are eaten with coffee after lunch, especially around her feast in October. The yolks are cooked until thick, well past the point that makes them safe. Chef's tip: keep the heat low and never stop stirring; yolks scramble in seconds if they catch.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz caster sugar
- 3 ½ tbsp water
- 1 strip lemon peelpith removed
- 1 cinnamon sticksmall
- 8 egg yolksfrom large eggs
- 1 ¾ oz icing sugarfor rolling
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Simmer 3 ½ oz caster sugar, 3 ½ tbsp water, 1 strip lemon peel and 1 cinnamon stick in a small heavy pan over a medium heat for 5 minutes, until the syrup is clear and forms a thin thread between two fingers when cooled on a spoon. Remove the peel and cinnamon and let it cool for 5 minutes.
10 minStep 3: Return to the pan over a low heat and stir constantly with a spatula for 8–10 minutes, until the mixture thickens to a smooth, golden paste that comes away from the sides and holds a trail. It should reach at least 167°F. A common mistake is turning up the heat to hurry it: you get sweet scrambled egg.
10 minStep 4: Spread the paste on a plate, cover the surface with cling film and chill for 1 hour, until firm enough to roll.
60 minStep 5: Dust your hands and the worktop with 1 ¾ oz icing sugar, roll the paste into 18 small balls and roll each in more icing sugar. Set in paper cases and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does yemas de Ávila take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of cinnamon stick?
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon per stick.
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