Custard Recipe (Easy, Homemade and Best) (2024)

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This custard recipe is a fantastic, yet very simple dessert that is popular in many countries, albeit, by different names. A British staple which is frequently poured over many traditional desserts.

I promised a while ago that I’d post the recipe for homemade custard because it’s so quick and easy to make, you probably won’t believe it.

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You may be a big crème brûlée fan, but maybe have never had custard as a dessert if you live in the USA. Crème brûlée is made with heavy cream, whereas custard is made with milk, so it’s a bit less calorific.

For me, it’s usually going on top of a homemade British dessert, such as an apple pie, rhubarb crumble,or steamed pudding, and I try to not make it a calorie overload. However, don’t be afraid to pour custard into it’s own glass, mug, ramekin or whatever you choose; its luscious creaminess can stand on its ownas a dessert, too.

Custard Recipe (Easy, Homemade)

Recipe by Christina Conte serves 6

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (10 oz) milk (I use whole milk)
  • 1/2 vanilla bean or a few drops of vanilla (the bean will taste much better)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 to 3 tsp sugar, depending on you sweet you like it
  • 1 tsp corn starch

Split open the vanilla bean and place in a small pot along with the milk.Heat over medium low heat, meanwhile, prepare the rest of the custard.

In a small bowl, whisk the yolks, sugar and corn starch together until well combined.

When the milk begins to simmer, remove the vanilla bean and pour about half a cup of hot milkinto the egg mixture, whisking quickly. Add the rest of the milk, then whisk and return to the pot.

Heat over medium heat and continue stirring, taking care that the custard doesn’t stick or burn, using a wooden spoon is best at this point (the photo below is before I switched to the wooden spoon)! Add the vanilla extract if not using the vanilla bean.Continue to stir until the custard begins to thicken.

Remove from heat, use as desired.If pouring over a dessert, use immediately.

If not using while hot, cover so that a skin doesn’t form on the custard.

Keep any leftover custard refrigerated. Give this super easy, apple crumble recipe a try.

British apple pie is also very good with real, homemade custard. There’s a difference with a British pie? Yes, click the recipe to see what it is.

Custard Recipe (Easy, Homemade and Best) (8)

Real, Homemade Custard

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

A creamy egg dessert that can stand on its own, but it wonderful when served on many fruit desserts, in trifles and much more.

Ingredients

  • 1¼ cups (10 oz) milk (I use whole milk)
  • ½ vanilla bean or a few drops of vanilla (the bean will taste much better)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 to 3 tsp sugar, depending on you sweet you like it
  • 1 tsp corn starch

Instructions

  1. Split open the vanilla bean and place in a small pot along with the milk.Heat over medium low heat, meanwhile, prepare the rest of the custard.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the yolks, sugar and corn starch together until well combined.
  3. When the milk begins to simmer, remove the vanilla bean and pour about half a cup of hot milkinto the egg mixture, whisking quickly. Add the rest of the milk, then whisk and return to the pot.
  4. Heat over medium heat and continue stirring, taking care that the custard doesn't stick or burn, using a wooden spoon is best at this point (the photo below is before I switched to the wooden spoon)!Add the vanilla extract if not using the vanilla bean.Continue to stir until the custard begins to thicken.
  5. Remove from heat, use as desired.If pouring over a dessert, use immediately.

Notes

egg custard, dessert sauce, British

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 3 ounces
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 141Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g

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Check out this twist from Jill at Mad About Macarons: chai tea creme Anglaise, light french custard

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Custard Recipe (Easy, Homemade and Best) (2024)

FAQs

How is custard made from scratch? ›

Whisk eggs, sugar, and cornstarch together in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Set the saucepan back over low heat. Pour in egg mixture slowly, whisking constantly, until custard thickens enough to coat the bottom of a spoon, 5 to 10 minutes.

What are the 3 types of custard? ›

3 Varieties of Custard

There are three main varieties of custard: baked custard, stirred custard, and steamed custard. The first two are both popular in Western cuisine. Baked custard is typically firmer and made with whole eggs, while stirred custards can be much runnier and often only contain the yolks.

What are the mistakes when making custard? ›

Experts Reveal 12 Big Custard Mistakes You're Probably Making
  1. Not knowing the difference between starch-thickened and egg-thickened custards. ...
  2. Not knowing the difference between stovetop and baked custards. ...
  3. Adding the eggs to your custard too quickly. ...
  4. Overcooking custard. ...
  5. Cooking custard at too high a temperature.
May 5, 2024

What are the 4 components of custard? ›

Traditional custards available on the market normally contain the following components: whole milk in a quantity equal to 50-60% by weight of the product, sugar (13-27%), egg yolks (13-16%) and flour or starch (3-7%).

What makes custard taste like custard? ›

Egg Yolks: The star ingredient, providing both a velvety smoothness and a deeper, more pronounced flavor to the frozen custard.

Is creme brulee the same as custard? ›

The main difference between the two is that creme brulee is topped with a layer of sugar that caramelizes under a broiler or torch, resulting in a crunchy, burnt sugar topping. Egg custard does not have this additional layer of sugar, but some recipes call for a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon.

What is the American version of custard? ›

What is the American equivalent of custard? The US equivalent of custard is custard. We also have pudding which is thicker and more set than custard usually with flour or cornstarch. We do not refer to the dessert course of a meal as pudding.

Is vanilla pudding custard? ›

While most custard and pudding recipes both typically call for eggs, the main difference is that pudding uses a starch for thickening, whereas custard's thickening agent is the egg itself (or egg yolk, in most instances). Custard's texture also tends to be firmer than pudding.

Does custard need sugar? ›

The chemistry of custards is a delicate business, though the ingredients are simple: eggs, milk, sugar.

What's the difference between egg custard and custard? ›

Egg custard is a variation on cream custard. Egg custurd is a tick rich creamy sweet or savory dessert, made mixtures of eggs or egg yolks, milk or cream, flavorings (vanilla, nutmeg, etc.) and optionally, sweeteners (sugar, honey). Basic custards are thickened and set by eggs alone.

Which flavor of custard is best? ›

#1.

Vanilla custard is renowned for its delightful balance of creamy richness and tasty vanilla flavour, making it a popular custard flavour worldwide. The smooth texture of the custard is complemented by the unique flavour of vanilla, creating a comforting mouthwatering taste.

Can you overcook custard? ›

Here's how to avoid one of the worst kitchen mishaps: overcooking. Egg-based puddings and custards can curdle if cooked beyond 185 degrees. We take crème anglaise off the heat when the mixture registers 175 to 180, but when making the base for ice cream we push the temperature to 180 to 185 for maximum thickness.

Is custard healthier than ice cream? ›

Nutritional Value

Frozen custard is higher in fat and calories than ice cream. This is because of the egg yolks and heavy cream used in its recipe. Frozen custard is also typically denser than ice cream, which means it is more calorie-dense. Ice cream is typically lower in fat and calories than frozen custard.

What is custard mainly made of? ›

How is custard made? With milk or fresh pouring cream, egg yolks and sugar, and sometimes thickened with starch or egg proteins. The consistency depends mainly on the quantity of eggs or starch, the type of milk or cream and the cooking method.

What's the difference between pudding and custard? ›

The main difference is the ingredient used as a thickening agent. Eggs are an essential ingredient in custard, as they give the dessert its gelatinous texture. Instead of egg proteins, flour or cornstarch are thickeners in puddings.

Is the custard healthy? ›

Consuming custard can provide a few health benefits. Custard contains calcium, which is essential for strong bones and healthy teeth. Additionally, custard is a good source of protein and dietary fiber for those trying to shed some extra pounds. Eating custard can also give a quick energy boost from its carbohydrates.

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