Classic Vanilla Custard
Indulge in the velvety smoothness of Classic Vanilla Custard, a timeless dessert that’s as elegant as it is comforting. Made with whole milk infused with the aromatic seeds of a real vanilla bean, this creamy treat strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and richness. The recipe highlights traditional techniques, like tempering eggs, to achieve a luxuriously thick texture that coats the palate. Whether enjoyed on its own, layered in trifles, or served as a decadent topping for pies and cakes, this custard is a versatile masterpiece. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a total prep and cook time of 30 minutes, it’s an achievable indulgence that will impress any crowd. Perfect for lovers of classic dessert recipes, this Vanilla Custard is best served chilled to let its delicate flavors shine.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean
- 3 large eggs
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, pour 2 cups of whole milk.
Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds, adding both the seeds and the pod to the milk.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the milk mixture to a simmer. Do not let it boil.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, 0.5 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 0.25 teaspoon of salt until smooth and well combined.
Once the milk is simmering, remove the vanilla pod, and slowly whisk hot milk into the egg mixture gradually to temper the eggs. Do this a little at a time to prevent curdling.
Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan.
Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until it thickens and coats the back of the spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps.
Cover the surface of the custard with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
Allow the custard to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Serve chilled, either on its own or as a part of your favorite dessert.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
934 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.6 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.6 g | 68% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 617 mg | 206% | |
| Sodium | 987 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 133.6 g | 49% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 124.1 g | ||
| Protein | 34.0 g | 68% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.4 mcg | 42% | |
| Calcium | 686 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 972 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
