Easy Vanilla Custard - Downshiftology (2024)

This classic custard is the perfect dessert to enjoy year-round. It’s silky smooth, perfectly sweet, and much easier to make than you think. Serve it up warm, drizzled over cake or a fruit crisp, or chill it and top with berries. It’s up to you!

This classic custard recipe has a special place in my home. My dad (as a New Zealander) always prefered it warm and drizzled over some sort of cake. While my mom (an American) preferred it chilled and more pudding-like. And that’s not surprising, because based on my travels I’d say that many people in the US think of custard as a pudding, while many people in the UK enjoy it served as an accompaniment to another dessert. I’ll gladly enjoy custard either way, which just highlights the versatility of this sweet treat.

So why do I love this custard recipe? Because it’s creamy, luscious and smooth with hints of sweet vanilla. It’s also far better than any store-bought box mix, and super easy to make at home. If you’ve made my chocolate pots de creme, tapioca pudding, or coconut creme brulee, you’re already an expert on this recipe, as those desserts have custard as the base. So let’s whip it up!

Custard Ingredients

For some context, there is a difference between custard and pudding. Puddings (like my banana pudding) rely on more starch to thicken up whereas custards rely on egg yolks as the primary thickening agent. This gives custard a more delicate and subtle flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is the key to creating a thick and luscious custard. If you’re dairy-free, you can use coconut cream instead.
• Whole Milk: Whole milk mixed with heavy cream is the ultimate duo for a rich consistency. But you could also use a creamier non-dairy milk such as canned coconut milk or oat milk.
• Egg Yolks: You only need egg yolks in this recipe, so save the egg whites to make an egg white omelette or souffledessert!
• Honey: Any type of sugar can be used in this recipe. I prefer to use honey or maple syrup.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract add that sweet, rich flavor. But if you have fresh vanilla beans on hand, feel free to scrape one and add it in. Just stir it into the heavy cream in the first step.
• Starch: You don’t need much for this custard, but a little bit helps to thicken the eggy cream mixture. You can use cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Make Custard

Heat the cream.Add the heavy cream and milk to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk occasionally until it’s simmering with bubbles along the edges, then remove from the heat. Note: Milk has a tendency to boil over quickly on the stove, so do keep a close eye on it!

Temper the eggs.Whisk the egg yolks, honey, starch, and vanilla in a medium bowl. While continuously whisking, slowly pour half of the hot cream mixture into the bowl. If you pour too fast, the eggs will curdle.

Stir together.Return the tempered egg mixture to the saucepan and stir together over medium-low heat for 1 to 3 minutes, or until the custard is slightly thickened.Note: the custard will continue to thicken once removed from the heat.

Serve or chill.You can serve the warm custard drizzled over desserts or chill and serve it cold. To chill, transfer the custard to a bowl and cover the top (so it’s touching the custard) with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for 4 hours or overnight.

Common Questions

More Easy Desserts

I’m a big fan of simple desserts, so here are a few other favorites to keep in rotation when you need a sweet bite!

• Rice Pudding: The most comforting dessert to enjoy through winter.
• Baked Apples: An essential fall dessert for apple season.
• Homemade Nutella: This makes for the perfect edible gift for the holidays.
• Panna Cotta: An egg-free creamy, custard-like dessert.
• Chocolate Chia Pudding: The perfect healthy chocolate treat!

I hope you, your friends, and family enjoy this creamy custard recipe! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.