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Easy Egg Custard Recipe

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4.9 from 55 reviews

This Easy Egg Custard recipe is a classic, creamy dessert made with simple ingredients like eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Baked gently in a water bath, it results in a smooth, delicate custard with a hint of nutmeg, perfect for a comforting sweet treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Ingredients

  • 5 eggs
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 cups whole or 2% milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Nutmeg, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the custard.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease or spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent the custard from sticking.
  3. Mix Eggs and Flavorings: In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and well combined.
  4. Heat Milk: In a saucepan, gently heat the milk to about 180°F—just before it begins to simmer but not boiling.
  5. Temper Eggs: While whisking the egg mixture vigorously, slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk into the eggs to temper them, preventing curdling.
  6. Combine Milk and Eggs: Continue to slowly add the remaining hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth custard base.
  7. Strain Mixture (Optional): To ensure a silky texture and remove any cooked egg bits, strain the custard mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
  8. Pour into Baking Dish: Pour the prepared custard into the greased baking dish and sprinkle the top evenly with nutmeg for aroma and flavor.
  9. Set Up Water Bath: Place the baking dish into a larger pan filled with about 1 inch of hot water to create a gentle, even cooking environment.
  10. Bake Custard: Carefully place both pans in the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. The custard should still jiggle slightly when done.
  11. Cool and Set: Remove the custard from the oven and allow it to cool. It will continue to firm up as it cools.
  12. Serve: Garnish with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a dusting of spices if desired before serving.

Notes

  • Use whole milk for a richer custard or 2% milk for a lighter version.
  • Tempering the eggs with hot milk is crucial to prevent curdling and achieve a smooth texture.
  • Straining the custard before baking ensures an ultra-smooth finish, but it is optional.
  • Do not overbake; custard should jiggle slightly and be tender when done.
  • Water bath baking helps cook the custard evenly and prevents cracking.

Keywords: egg custard, easy custard recipe, baked custard, classic dessert, creamy custard

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/easy-egg-custard-recipe/