Indulge in the creamy goodness of homemade boiled custard with this classic recipe. Made with simple ingredients like milk, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, this smooth and velvety dessert is a holiday favorite. Serve it warm or chilled, it's perfect for all occasions. With a preparing time of just 30 minutes, you'll have a rich and comforting custard ready to enjoy in no time.
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground nutmeg, for garnish
Directions
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat until it begins to steam. Be careful not to let it boil.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Do not let it boil.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or cooked egg bits.
- Pour the custard into individual serving bowls or a large bowl for a family-style dessert.
- Sprinkle the top with a pinch of ground nutmeg for added flavor and decoration.
- Serve the boiled custard warm or chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours until cold and set.
- Enjoy the creamy and delightful boiled custard on its own or pair it with your favorite holiday desserts.
Interesting Facts
Boiled custard is a traditional southern American dessert often served during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The use of nutmeg as a garnish adds a warm and festive touch to the custard.
Boiled custard can be used as a base for making ice cream or incorporated into other desserts, such as trifle or custard pies.