Simple Custard

1. Gather all ingredients.

2. Place milk, vanilla extract, and butter in a saucepan.

3. Cook and stir over medium heat until simmering; remove from heat before it comes to a boil.

4. Whisk eggs, sugar, and cornstarch together in a bowl until sugar dissolves.

5. Set the saucepan back over low heat. Pour in egg mixture slowly, whisking constantly, until custard thickens enough to coat the bottom of a spoon, 5 to 10 minutes.

6. Serve warm or transfer custard into a large bowl and cover.

7. Allow to cool before chilling. Enjoy!

More About This Recipe:

This old-fashioned custard, made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, is the perfect sweet treat to whip up on a whim.

What Is Custard?

Custard is a decadent dessert made with eggs, milk, and sugar. Eggs are responsible for custard's thick and velvety texture, but some recipes (such as this one) call for thickeners such as cornstarch or arrowroot for extra richess.

How to Make Custard

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe above, but let's go over the basics:

What Is Custard Made Of?

These are the basic ingredients you'll need to make this homemade custard recipe:

• Milk: This decadent custard starts with four cups of milk.
• Butter: A tablespoon of butter lends richness.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the custard.
• Eggs: Four eggs ensure a creamy, thick, and velvety texture.
• Sugar: Sweeten things up with ½ cup of white sugar.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the custard.

How to Make Homemade Custard

Here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make old-fashioned egg custard:

1. Bring milk, vanilla, and butter to a simmer. Remove from heat before it boils.
2. Whisk remaining ingredients in a separate bowl.
3. Over low heat, slowly whisk the egg mixture into milk mixture.

How to Store Custard

Allow the custard to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove.

Can You Freeze Custard?

Yes, you can freeze custard for up to three months. However, it's important to note that the texture will likely change during the freezing and thawing process.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is a very good recipe," according to one Allrecipes community member. "I like the fact that we don't have to separate the yolk from the white. Using the whole egg is great. I followed the instructions and everyone liked it."

"A good tip is to pour in the egg mixture in a very thin stream to start or pour a very small amount of the warm milk into the eggs to equalize the temp, then slowly add the eggs to the hot milk," advises Olive'sMom.

"I made the recipe exactly as written plus two tablespoons sugar, and we loved it," says Julie. "It was great plain, but I made a trifle that included pound cake, this custard, cool whip, and fresh strawberries and blueberries. It was a huge hit. Really yummy and easy to make!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams