Description
This creamy vanilla custard is perfect for desserts or as a standalone treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup whole milk (use half heavy cream and half milk for a richer sauce)
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or vanilla paste)
Instructions
- Have all ingredients ready. Including a bowl with ice and some water if you’re going to cool it down with an inverted water bath.
- Pour 1 cup whole milk and half the sugar into a medium saucepan. Whisk until it starts to dissolve and heat over medium heat until it starts to barely simmer, or bubbles at the edges. Don’t let it boil.
- Meanwhile, beat 3 egg yolks with the remaining sugar until slightly thickened. It’s recommended to use a whisk because we don’t want to incorporate too much air, but if you only have a hand-held mixer use it just until the mixture thickens.
- Add the hot milk to the egg mixture a little at a time until you add ⅔ of the milk.
- Return this mixture to the same saucepan that has the rest of the milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is hot and thickens slightly. Don’t let it boil.
- Check a few times that the custard is not boiling as it might curdle. That’s why we use low heat, to be able to cook it without curdling.
- It should coat the back of a wooden spoon and, if a finger is drawn across it, it should leave a clear path.
- Strain the custard onto a bowl to discard any solids that might’ve formed while cooking.
- Add ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or paste and mix.
- Transfer to the ice water bowl if using an inverted water bath, or cover the bowl with a piece of plastic on top that touches the whole surface.
- Cool at room temperature and refrigerate.
- Store it in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Notes
- Using a whisk helps to avoid incorporating too much air.
- Cool the custard quickly with an inverted water bath if desired.
- Thicker custard can be achieved by returning it to the heat and stirring it gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 200mg