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Custard For One Recipe

4.6 from 69 reviews

This single-serving custard recipe delivers a rich, creamy dessert perfect for one. Made with simple ingredients like whole milk, egg yolk, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla, it is gently cooked on the stovetop to achieve a smooth texture. Enjoy it chilled after refrigeration for a luscious treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Ingredients

  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Warm the Milk: In a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk until tiny bubbles form around the edges, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir often to prevent scorching.
  2. Mix Egg Yolk and Sugar: In a medium bowl, stir the egg yolk and sugar together until well combined. Add the cornstarch and stir until smooth.
  3. Temper the Egg Mixture: Slowly pour the hot milk into the bowl with the egg mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly to prevent the egg from cooking too quickly.
  4. Combine Mixtures: Once fully combined, pour the mixture back into the saucepan.
  5. Cook Custard: Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and becomes smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
  6. Chill the Custard: Pour the custard into a bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving.

Notes

  • Whisking constantly is crucial to avoid lumps and to prevent the custard from scorching or curdling.
  • Pressing plastic wrap onto the surface of the custard prevents a skin from forming during refrigeration.
  • If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the custard before chilling.
  • For a lighter version, you can substitute part of the whole milk with low-fat milk, but whole milk provides the best creaminess.
  • Serve chilled; the custard will thicken further as it cools.

Keywords: custard, single serving dessert, creamy custard, stovetop custard, easy custard recipe, vanilla custard