Beautiful thick and creamy custard is so easy to make at home. Learn how to make it from scratch with the recipe and video below, plus see our top tips to get perfect custard every time.
In partnership and featuring recipes from Australian Eggs.
Custard is a basic recipe that is so versatile. Delicious on pies, crumbles, in trifles, with pudding or even just with a scoop of ice cream, it's such a comforting dessert that's surprisingly easy to make. Learn how to make custard at home with the recipe and video below, plus see our top tips to get perfect custard every time.
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Whisk eggs and sugar together until eggs turn pale. This process helps to dissolve the sugar and break up the egg yolks, so it is easier to incorporate the milk and cream. You do not need to beat air into the mixture. Adding the cornflour at this stage helps to stop the flour from forming lumps.
If you are flavouring the milk and cream with vanilla pods or any other aromatic, this increases the transfer of flavours. Warming the milk also helps with tempering of the egg yolk mixture.
Tempering in cooking is when you gradually add two mixtures at different temperatures together. In this custard recipe, it refers to adding the hot milk and cream to the relatively cool egg mixture in batches. If you add the two together all at once, the eggs will scramble. Start by adding 1/3 of the hot milk while whisking. Once the mixture is smooth, the rest of the milk can be added all at once.
Caster sugar is an all-purpose sugar and great for all types of baking. It dissolves easily into the egg yolks because it is finer than standard white sugar.
White sugar or pure icing sugar may be substituted. For this recipe, use 75g of any sugar. If measuring by cup, you will need to adjust the quantity. You may need to whisk for longer if using white sugar to ensure sugar is dissolved.
Vanilla pods are the best way to add vanilla flavour to custards. Split the bean down the middle and scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife. Add to milk along with the pod and warm gently.
If you can't get your hands on a vanilla pod, vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract work well instead. These will impart a wonderful aroma. For a more intense vanilla flavour, stir vanilla paste or extract through at the end of cooking instead.
While stirring, allow custard to come to a slow boil, that is you only need to see 1-2 large bubbles appear on the surface at the centre of the saucepan. Remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking.
Coat your spatula with the custard and run your finger through it. If the line you made stays, the custard is done. Custards should be thick, glossy and smooth.
An overly eggy taste means your custard has cooked at too high a temperature. If you follow the above tips, this should not occur.
Cooked custards are very stable and can be made up to 3 days ahead. Allow cooked custard to cool on the bench before refrigerating.
Cover with a sheet of cling film and make sure it touches the surface of the custard to prevent a skin forming on top.
You can reheat custard in the microwave or on the stove.
Microwave method: Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time. Continue until it reaches serving temperature. If it is too thick, add a little milk. Serve immediately.
Saucepan method: Heat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously. If it is too thick, add a little milk. Heat to serving temperature and serve immediately
Now that you have all the know-how to make custard at home, enjoy it with all your favourite desserts or in a recipe below.
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*DISCLAIMER – Australian Eggs is a contributing recipe Partner at myfoodbook.com.au. This feature includes a mix of content sourced from Australian Eggs and our own opinions. Find more about Australian Eggs.