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Easy Custard Recipe

4.8 from 72 reviews

This easy custard recipe creates a creamy, smooth dessert that can be enjoyed warm or chilled. Made with simple ingredients like heavy cream, whole milk, egg yolks, honey, and vanilla, this custard is thickened naturally with a bit of cornstarch or alternative thickening powder. Perfect as a standalone dessert or as a luscious topping for cakes and pies.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Heat Cream: Add the heavy cream and whole milk to a saucepan and place it over medium heat. Whisk occasionally and heat until the mixture just starts to simmer, with bubbles forming along the edges. Remove from heat immediately to avoid boiling.
  2. Temper Eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, honey, arrowroot powder (or chosen thickener), and vanilla extract until fully combined. While continuously whisking the egg mixture, very slowly pour about half of the hot cream mixture into the bowl to gradually raise the temperature of the eggs without curdling them.
  3. Combine and Thicken: Pour the tempered egg and cream mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream. Place the pan over medium-low heat and stir continuously for 1 to 3 minutes until the custard slightly thickens. Be careful not to let it boil, as this can cause curdling. The custard will continue to thicken as it cools.
  4. Serve or Chill: The custard can be served warm as a drizzle over cakes, pies, or other desserts. To serve chilled, transfer the custard to a bowl, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Once chilled, spoon into glasses for serving.

Notes

  • Slowly tempering the eggs is crucial to prevent them from scrambling when adding hot cream.
  • Use fresh, high-quality eggs for the best texture and flavor.
  • You can substitute honey with maple syrup or sugar if preferred.
  • Arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or cornstarch all work well as thickening agents; choose based on availability or dietary preference.
  • To avoid a skin forming on the custard while chilling, ensure the plastic wrap touches the surface of the custard completely.
  • This custard can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: custard, easy custard recipe, homemade custard, creamy dessert, stovetop custard, egg yolk custard, simple dessert