Cuajada Recipe: Easy Spanish Curd Dessert from Navarra, Warm (60) 2026

Cuajada is a traditional dairy dessert with deep roots in northern Spain, especially in the Basque Country and Navarra. Silky, delicate and barely sweet on its own, it sets into a soft curd that you can serve warm or chilled, exactly as you like it. Making it at home takes only minutes of active work and two simple ingredients.

The classic version uses fresh raw sheep's milk, but since that is hard to find unless you live near a farm, this recipe relies on fresh pasteurized sheep's milk from the refrigerated dairy section. The result is a clean, milky curd with a texture that is wonderfully smooth and light.

Precision matters more than effort here: follow the temperature on your rennet bottle and don't stir or move the glasses while the milk sets. Once ready, cuajada is lovely on its own or dressed up with a drizzle of honey and a few walnuts.

Ingredients for Cuajada

This makes 5 servings, each about 200 ml.

• 1 liter of fresh sheep's milk (pasteurized)
• 20 drops of rennet

How to Make Cuajada Step by Step

1. Heat the milk gently

Pour 1 liter of fresh pasteurized sheep's milk into a saucepan and set it over low heat. Warm it slowly until it reaches the temperature indicated on your rennet bottle, usually between 38-40 ºC (100-104 ºF). Then set it aside.

2. Divide the rennet among the glasses

Place 4 drops of rennet into each of 5 glasses of about 200 ml capacity. Work carefully so each glass gets the same amount.

3. Pour in the warm milk

Divide the freshly warmed milk among the 5 glasses containing the rennet. Do not stir the mixture at any point.

4. Let it set, then chill

Without stirring, let the mixture cool completely at room temperature. In about 10-15 minutes the milk will have curdled. Then transfer the glasses to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, until you are ready to serve.

5. Serve

Serve the homemade cuajada just as it is, or accompany it with a little honey and some walnuts.

Tips for the Best Cuajada

Choosing the right milk

If you can't find sheep's milk, use fresh cow's milk from the refrigerated section and add 40 grams of powdered milk, following the same procedure. In any case, avoid UHT milk sold unrefrigerated, because it will not curdle.

Where to buy rennet

You can buy rennet for making cuajada at pharmacies, and if they don't have it in stock they can usually order it for you. It is also available in some supermarkets and online stores.

Serving and storing

The most traditional way to enjoy cuajada is with a little honey and some walnuts, though it is also delicious with fruit for extra sweetness and color. Eat it at room temperature once set or chilled, as you prefer; if not serving immediately, keep it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap, where it lasts 3-4 days without forming a crust on top.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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