Ah, custard—silky, comforting, and endlessly versatile 🍮
At its heart, custard is just milk (or cream), eggs, and sugar, gently cooked until thick and luscious. Simple… but magical when done right.
Here’s a classic, foolproof vanilla custard plus tips so it turns out smooth every time.
🍮 Classic Vanilla Custard (Stovetop)
Ingredients (Serves 4)
-
2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
-
3 large egg yolks
-
1/2 cup sugar
-
1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for extra stability)
-
Pinch of salt
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Milk
-
Warm milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming (not boiling).
Step 2: Mix Yolks
-
In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch (if using), and salt until pale.
Step 3: Temper
-
Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture while whisking constantly.
Step 4: Thicken
-
Return mixture to saucepan.
-
Cook over low–medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the spoon (about 5–7 minutes).
-
Do not boil.
Step 5: Finish
-
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
-
Strain if desired for ultra-smooth custard.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Custard
-
Low heat = smooth custard
-
Stir constantly, especially around edges
-
If it curdles slightly, blend briefly to save it
-
Chill with plastic wrap touching surface to prevent skin
🍓 Ways to Use Custard
-
Pour over fruit, cake, or brownies
-
Fill tarts, éclairs, or cream puffs
-
Layer in trifles
-
Serve warm or chilled
🔁 Variations
-
Baked custard (crème brûlée-style)
-
Chocolate custard
-
Lemon custard
-
Dairy-free custard
Custard is one of those foundational desserts—once you master it, a whole world of sweets opens up.
If you want, I can also give you:
-
A 2-ingredient emergency custard
-
A no-cook custard
-
Or a baked old-fashioned custard