Vanilla Custard

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Silky Smooth Texture: The combination of heavy cream and egg yolks creates a luscious, velvety custard.​
• Versatile Serving Options: Serve it warm over desserts or chilled as a standalone treat with your favorite toppings.​
• Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow.​

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Heavy cream​
• Whole milk​
• Egg yolks​
• Honey or maple syrup​
• Cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour​​

Directions

1. Heat the Cream: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and whole milk. Whisk occasionally until it just starts to simmer with bubbles along the edges, then remove from heat.​
2. Temper the Eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, honey (or maple syrup), starch, and vanilla extract. While continuously whisking, slowly pour half of the hot cream mixture into the bowl to temper the eggs.​
3. Combine and Thicken: Return the tempered egg mixture to the saucepan with the remaining cream. Stir over medium-low heat for 1 to 3 minutes, or until the custard slightly thickens. Note: the custard will continue to thicken once removed from the heat.​
4. Serve or Chill: You can serve the custard warm, drizzled over cake, pie, or other desserts, or chill it and serve cold. If chilling, transfer the custard to a bowl and cover the top (so that it’s touching the custard) with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for 4 hours or overnight. Then, spoon individual servings into glasses to serve.​

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Approximately 4 servings​
• Preparation Time: 5 minutes​
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes​
• Chilling Time: 4 hours (optional)​
• Total Time: Approximately 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)​

Variations

• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute heavy cream and whole milk with coconut cream and coconut milk for a dairy-free version.​
• Flavor Enhancements: Infuse the cream with a scraped vanilla bean or add a splash of almond extract for a different flavor profile.​
• Sweetener Alternatives: Use granulated sugar or other natural sweeteners in place of honey or maple syrup.​

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the custard in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.​
• Reheating: To serve warm, gently reheat the custard in a double boiler, stirring continuously. Avoid using the microwave, as it may cause the eggs to curdle.​

FAQs

What is the difference between custard and pudding?

Custard relies primarily on egg yolks as the thickening agent, resulting in a more delicate and subtle flavor. Pudding, on the other hand, uses more starch to achieve its thicker consistency.​

Can I make this custard without eggs?

Traditional custard requires eggs for its characteristic texture and flavor. For an egg-free alternative, consider making panna cotta, which uses gelatin as a thickener.​

Why did my custard turn out lumpy?

Lumps can form if the egg mixture is overcooked or cooked at too high a temperature, causing it to curdle. To fix this, immediately remove it from the heat and use an immersion blender to blend it smooth again.​

How can I prevent a skin from forming on my custard?

To prevent a skin from forming, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard while it cools.

Can I use this custard as a filling for pastries?

Yes, this custard can be used as a filling for various pastries, such as éclairs or cream puffs. Ensure it is well-chilled before using it as a filling.​

Is it possible to freeze custard?

Freezing custard is not recommended, as it can alter the texture, making it grainy upon thawing.​

Can I use low-fat milk instead of whole milk?

Using low-fat milk will result in a less rich and creamy custard. For the best texture and flavor, it’s recommended to use whole milk or a non-dairy milk with a higher fat content, such as canned coconut milk.​

How can I make the custard thicker?

To achieve a thicker custard, you can increase the amount of starch slightly or cook it a bit longer over low heat, stirring continuously until it reaches the desired consistency.​

What can I serve with this custard?

This custard pairs wonderfully with fresh berries, poached fruits, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or as a topping for cakes and pies.​

Can I flavor the custard with something other than vanilla?

Absolutely! You can infuse the cream with flavors like cinnamon sticks, citrus zest, or even steeped tea leaves to create different variations of the custard.​

Conclusion

This easy vanilla custard is a timeless dessert that offers both simplicity and elegance. Its smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor make it a versatile addition to any dessert repertoire. Whether enjoyed warm or chilled, on its own or accompanied by your favorite toppings, this

---

Print