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Baked Custard Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 133 reviews

This classic baked custard recipe is a simple yet comforting dessert made with whole milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. It’s gently baked in a water bath to achieve a smooth, creamy texture with a delicate nutmeg topping. Perfect served warm or chilled, and lovely with fresh berries for added freshness. Ideal for cozy days, this recipe offers a soul-affirming and timeless treat that’s easy to prepare with everyday ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Ground nutmeg, for sprinkling
  • Fresh berries, optional, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the milk: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small saucepan, gently heat the whole milk until bubbles just form around the edges of the pan, but do not let it boil. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat to prevent scorching or boiling over.
  2. Prepare the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt until well blended but not foamy. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture in a steady stream, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking too quickly. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  3. Strain and transfer to baking dish: Pour the custard mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a 1-1/2 quart round baking dish to ensure a silky smooth texture. Sprinkle the top evenly with ground nutmeg.
  4. Create a water bath: Place the round baking dish inside a larger baking pan. Carefully pour very hot water into the larger pan until it reaches about 1/2 inch below the top of the custard dish, making sure not to let any water splash into the custard.
  5. Bake the custard: Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
  6. Cool the custard: Remove the baking dish from the water bath and immediately place it on a wire rack. Let it cool at room temperature for 30 minutes to settle.
  7. Chill and serve: Cover the custard with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cold. Serve scoops of the custard in bowls, optionally garnished with fresh berries for a bright contrast.

Notes

  • Do not let the milk boil to avoid altering the texture of the custard.
  • Slowly adding hot milk to the eggs helps prevent scrambling.
  • Use a fine mesh strainer for a smooth custard texture.
  • The water bath promotes even cooking and prevents cracking.
  • Custard can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing custard is not recommended as it causes texture degradation.
  • For variety, add spices like cinnamon or cardamom, or experiment with extracts like lemon or rum.
  • You can bake custard in individual ramekins instead of one larger dish.

Keywords: baked custard, classic custard, vanilla custard, easy dessert, simple custard, homemade custard, custard recipe, comforting dessert

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/baked-custard-recipe/