A Very Proper English Custard

Indulge in the timeless elegance of "A Very Proper English Custard," a silky, golden dessert sauce that epitomizes British culinary tradition. Made with a luxurious combination of whole milk, heavy cream, and rich egg yolks, this recipe is delicately sweetened with caster sugar and infused with the fragrant warmth of vanilla. Perfectly thickened to coat the back of a spoon, this classic custard is a labor of love, requiring gentle heat and constant attention to achieve its velvety texture without curdling. Serve it warm alongside steamed puddings, draped over crumbles, or chilled as a decadent base for trifles. Whether you’re perfecting afternoon tea or elevating dessert, this authentic English custard is a dish your guests will savor and remember.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 ml Whole milk
• 100 ml Heavy cream
• 6 large Egg yolks
• 50 g Caster sugar
• 1 pod or tsp Vanilla pod or vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. If using a vanilla pod, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to the pan. If you are using vanilla extract, set it aside to add later.

Step 2

Place the saucepan over medium heat and gently heat the milk and cream mixture until it is just about to reach a boil. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to infuse for 5 minutes if using a vanilla pod. This step is optional with vanilla extract.

Step 3

While the milk mixture is warming, place the egg yolks and caster sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk them together until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.

Step 4

Remove the vanilla pod from the milk mixture if used. Slowly pour the warm milk and cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to avoid curdling.

Step 5

Once combined, return the mixture to the saucepan and place it over low heat.

Step 6

Cook the mixture gently, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. This should take about 10 minutes. Avoid boiling the custard to prevent curdling.

Step 7

To check for doneness, run your finger through the custard coating the back of the spoon; if the line stays clear and doesn’t run, the custard is ready.

Step 8

If using vanilla extract, stir it in at this stage.

Step 9

Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or residual vanilla pod pieces.

Step 10

Serve warm over your favorite dessert, or let it cool completely, covering it with cling film so it touches the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	771.9 grams (771.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1182

Total Fat 77.00g	99%
Saturated Fat 39.20g	196%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.60g
Cholesterol 1269mg	423%
Sodium 278mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 78.00g	28%
Dietary Fiber 0.20g	1%
Total Sugars 75.50g
Protein 33.10g	66%

Vitamin D 337IU	1684%
Calcium 773mg	59%
Iron 3mg	16%
Potassium 891mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.9%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 27.4%