Today, I am going to share with you a quick and easy dessert recipe that you must try. Yes, you heard it right: boiled custard. This is an annual holiday dessert in our home that gets ready in half an hour.Â
This recipe comes straight from my grandmother, who learned it from her grandmother. Therefore, I like to believe that this is my family secret, but I am sure many of you make your boiled custard this way. To be honest, this is the only way to make it right.
One of the major highlights of this boiled custard is that it can be easily made using kitchen staples. If you are excited to try out this delicious glass of deliciousness, I suggest you quickly grab your apron and run to your kitchen because that’s how simple it is to make.
Being creamy in texture, this is one of the best comforting desserts that can be paired with fruits, cakes, or compotes. So, without any further ado, let’s get cooking.
Equipments Required
- Bowl: I like to use a medium-sized bowl to beat the eggs and sugar in the mixture.
- Whisk: I go in with my whisk to mix all the ingredients.
- Pan: I use a pan to make this boiling custard.
- Saucepan: A saucepan comes in handy when boiling the milk.
- Serving Bowls or Shot Glasses: I use serving bowls or shot glasses to serve the final creamy boiled custard.
Boiled Custard Ingredients & Substitution
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 8 people. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients as necessary.Â
- 5 Large Eggs
- 1 Quarter Whole Milk: When I don’t have whole milk, I substitute soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk for this recipe. However, you need to be cautious since the textures might vary.
- 1 Whole Cup Sugar: Sugar is one of the main ingredients in this recipe, but to make it healthy, you can use brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or stevia.
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract: I am not always stocked on vanilla extract, but I always have vanilla pods or vanilla powder, which I like to use as a substitute for this ingredient.
Preparation And Cooking Time
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|---|
10 Minutes | 15 Minutes | 25 Minutes |
How To Make Boiled Custard At Home
- Start by adding the whole milk to the boiling pan and let it heat until it steams.
- Next, proceed by cracking two eggs in a bowl.
- Now it’s time to add sugar to the same bowl.
- It’s time to mix them all thoroughly until they turn pale yellow in color. Once done, add the whole milk to this mix.
- Finally, add vanilla extract to the mix to give it that nice essence to our boiled custard.
- Time to pour it all into the pan.
- Let the mix cook on medium-high heat until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. It usually takes 5-10 minutes.
- Once it’s done, transfer it to a serving bowl or shot glasses. Sprinkle it with cinnamon powder and refrigerate to chill.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- To make the custard more delicious, I like to add cashews, fresh fruits, or cinnamon. I love how this recipe allows one to be creative and add their favorite toppings to finish it off.
- One of the main tips I follow while making stovetop boiled custard is to stir the pan continuously. This prevents the custard from sticking to the pan and cooks it evenly.
- I am always alert while making this recipe because overcooking it can lead to a rubbery or grainy consistency. So, I put off the pan from the stovetop at the right time and let the cooling time do the rest of the magic for you.
- When using a substitute for whole milk, like half-and-half or dairy-free alternatives I recommend adjusting the cooking time and monitor the consistency closely. This is because these substitutes can alter the texture and thickening process of the custard.
- I also keep an instant thermometer handy to check the temperature for the right cooking, which should be around 180 degrees F.
FAQs About Boiled Custard
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Custard is a healthy item to eat in moderation. To give you a detailed insight, here is a nutritional chart for the boiled custard recipe.
Calories | 217 Kcal |
Fat | 7 g |
Carbs | 31 g |
Protein | 8 g |
Total Fat | 7 g |
Saturated Fat | 3 g |
Cholesterol | 128 g |
Sodium | 97 mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 31 g |
Dietary fibers | 0 g |
Total sugars | 31 g |
Protein | 8 g |
Vitamin C | 0 mg |
Calcium | 156 mg |
Iron | 1 mg |
Potassium | 205 mg |
One of the best things about this boiled custard is that it is naturally keto-friendly, gluten-free, and low in carbs.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Vegan: When I discovered that this is not a vegan recipe, I challenged myself to make it vegan-friendly, and it was very easy. I replaced regular milk with soy or almond milk and eggs with cornstarch instead. This gives our boiled custard a nice fluffy feeling and texture. However, it should be kept in mind that the texture will differ.
- Dairy-Free: I have also made this recipe in a diary-free style for my friends who follow this diet. For that, I use diary-free milk alternatives, such as soy or coconut milk. However, I have to share that these alternatives are a bit thinner than milk, which can affect the overall texture of the custard.
- Vegetarian: To make this recipe vegetarian-friendly, I skip adding the eggs and followed it up with cornstarch instead. I add a spoonful of cornstarch for every egg I was supposed to add to get a nice consistency for the custard.
- Fat-Free: Unfortunately, the fat content in boiled custard is a bit high because it contains whole milk. To reduce the fat content, I use skimmed milk or low-fat milk, which has less fat.
Storing This Recipe
Storing
- Refrigeration: I easily refrigerate my boiled custard for 3-4 days. However, while doing so, I ensure that I use an airtight container to prevent the moisture from leaking in.
- Freezing: Boiled custard is a great recipe for freezing. But again, whenever I do this, I use a freezer-friendly container that does not allow air to seep in. I do this to keep the texture and flavors intact, which could otherwise be ruined due to the influx of moisture.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Having a sweet tooth, I like to amplify the taste of this custard by having it with fresh fruits, compotes, cakes, brownies, jelly, or other toppings like chocolate shavings. I also like to add chocolate shavings with butterscotch bites or chocolate chips as garnishes.Â
If all the above suggestions sound delicious to you, then wait until I disclose this particular suggestion, which has been a classic favorite for generations. Have a bite of your boiled custard with apple crumble pie, and don’t tell me that you are not a fan because everyone else is. The softness of the cake, along with the sweetness, is perfect for social gatherings.
Now, if all these were a bit too sweet for you and you want to keep it light, then enjoy your boiled custard with some cookies. Cookies are easy to make or buy and taste delicious with boiled custard on the side.
Printable Version
Boiled Custard Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 Large Eggs
- 1 Quarter Whole Milk
- 1 Whole Cup Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Equipment
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Pan
- Saucepan
- Serving Bowls or Shot Glasses
Instructions
- Start by adding the whole milk to the boiling pan and let it heat until it steams.
- Next, proceed by cracking two eggs in a bowl.
- Now it’s time to add sugar to the same bowl.
- It’s time to mix them all thoroughly until they turn pale yellow in color. Once done, add the whole milk to this mix.
- Finally, add vanilla extract to the mix to give it that nice essence to our boiled custard.
- Time to pour it all into the pan.
- Let the mix cook on medium-high heat until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. It usually takes 5-10 minutes.
- Once it’s done, transfer it to a serving bowl or shot glasses. Sprinkle it with cinnamon powder and refrigerate to chill.
Nutrition
More Dessert Recipes That You Can Try
Conclusion
Sweet, creamy, and filling, this delicious boiled custard recipe has got to be one of the sweetest desserts you have ever tried. Anyone who does not like boiled custard is probably having it wrong. This divine recipe soothes the soul and is perfect for people who enjoy desserts that are not too sweet.
It can be eaten after lunch or as a snack, which makes it so versatile. Hopefully, with the complete recipe and variations, you are all set to make this on your own. This is a must-have dessert, so we urge you to give it a try. Those 30 minutes of making it will be worthwhile after you give it a try.