Basic Vanilla Custard
A scrumptuous yet simple to prepare custard. This is classic English comfort food. You can pour it over stewed fruit (guavas and peaches are fantastic choices), drizzle it on bread pudding, create a trifle by layering it with fresh berries and cubes of pound cake, or simply slurp it straight.
Total Steps
7
Ingredients
5
Tools Needed
2
Ingredients
- 2 cup <a href="/K7473XN2">milk </a>(at least 2%%, though whole is best)
- 0.33333298563957214 cup <a href="/GHZ654L7">sugar</a>
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 <a href="/2PVT278D">eggs,</a> beaten
- 1 teaspoon <a href="/SZC3QLP7">vanilla extract</a>
Instructions
Step 1
Combine milk, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan over medium <a href="/XZFHRHHF">heat.</a> <a href="/GV3SK283"> Whisk</a> until there are no cornstarch lumps remaining.
Step 2
Keep beaten eggs handy in a small bowl.
Step 3
Cook milk mixture, <a href="/GV3SK283">whisking </a>occasionally, for 5-8 minutes, until it has s<a href="/JQWHF3P2">calded. </a> Your cue for this is when the milk starts forming tiny bubbles around the perimeter of the pan and the cornstarch begins to <a href="/LXP6HLBF">thicken </a>the mixture. Be sure to get into the corners with your whisk--this prevents lumps and burned spots.
Step 4
Pour about 2 Tbsp. <a href="/JQWHF3P2">scalded </a>milk mixture into the eggs in a slow, steady stream, <a href="/GV3SK283">whisking </a>all the while. (This step is called "introducing" the milk to the eggs. Go easy. Their amicability toward one another is the key to a perfect custard.) Now return the saucepan to <a href="/XZFHRHHF">the h</a>eat. Pour the egg mixture into the milk mixture in a slow, steady str<a href="/GV3SK283">eam, whis</a>king quickly to avoid finding unsavory strings of egg in your custard.
Step 5
Cook about 2 more minutes, or until custard has <a href="/LXP6HLBF">thickened </a>and perhaps just begun to bubble. Do not overcook or boil it.
Step 6
Remove pan from <a href="/XZFHRHHF">heat </a>and <a href="/GV3SK283">whisk </a>in vanilla <a href="/QQBJYYGF">extract.</a>
Step 7
Best eaten straight off the stove. If you must<a href="/FK6MC4B6"> chill</a> it, remove custard to a Tupperware container and cover the surface with a piece of plastic<a href="/X75YQJ6B"> wrap</a> to keep it from forming a skin on<a href="/R34ZSY3M"> top</a>.