7 Easy Steps To Make Delicious Home Made Custard

To make easy homemade custard, heat milk and whisk together with sugar and eggs, optionally adding cornstarch for thickness. Combine the mixtures, cook until thickened while stirring constantly, then add vanilla extract. Cool and refrigerate before serving.

Harpreet Kour Updated: Jul 24, 2024 9:40 AM IST

To make a homemade custard, heat 2 cups of milk until steaming but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of sugar and 3 eggs, adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch if a thicker texture is desired. Gradually mix the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper it, then return it to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and let cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Ingredients:

Milk 2 cups

Sugar 1/2 cup

Eggs 3 large

Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon

Cornstarch 2 tablespoons (optional, for a thicker custard)

Salt A pinch

Instructions:

1. Heat the Milk:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming on the surface. Remove from heat once it's steaming.

2. Mix Sugar and Eggs:

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of sugar and 3 large eggs until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is dissolved.

3. Add Cornstarch:

  • If you prefer a thicker custard, whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into the sugar and egg mixture. This will help to thicken the custard.

4. Temper the Eggs:

  • Gradually add a small amount of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling. Continue adding the milk slowly while whisking.

5. Combine and Cook:

  • Pour the egg and milk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the custard thickens and coats the back of the spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil, as this can cause curdling.

6. Add Vanilla Extract:

  • Once the custard has thickened, remove it from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor.

7. Cool and Serve:

  • Transfer the custard to a bowl or individual serving dishes. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set. Serve chilled.

Tips:

For a Smooth Texture:

  • Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve before refrigerating to remove any lumps.

Variations:

  • You can add flavors like nutmeg or cinnamon to the milk before heating for a spiced custard.