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Vanilla bean custard in a white cocotte dish next to a carton of eggs.

Vanilla Bean Custard

Heather Smoke
A classic recipe for vanilla bean custard that's creamy, rich and flecked with real vanilla bean.

All recipes on Curly Girl Kitchen are developed for high altitude at 5,280 feet. See FAQs for adjusting to higher or lower elevations.

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, British
Servings2 cups

Equipment

  • Saucepan, Fine Mesh Strainer, and Whisk

Ingredients
 

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • tsp coarse Kosher salt (if using table salt, use half the amount)
  • 3 large egg yolks (save the whites for another use)
  • 1 ¼ cups whole milk
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, corn starch and salt.
  • Whisk in the egg yolks until smooth, then gradually whisk in the milk and cream.
  • Use a paring knife to split the vanilla bean lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds. Whisk the vanilla bean seeds into the custard.
  • Cook the custard over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the custard begins to thicken and bubble - this should take about 8-10 minutes. Once it begins to bubble, continue to cook for 1 full minute while whisking.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.
  • Lastly, strain the custard to remove any bits of cooked egg. Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and press the custard through the strainer.
  • Enjoy the custard warm, or chill it to eat cold.
Keyword Custard, Pastry Cream, Pudding, Vanilla Bean
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