Creamy, smooth, and comforting — custards and puddings are classic desserts that never go out of style. Whether you’re spooning into a warm vanilla pudding or slicing through a chilled crème caramel, these treats are surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few pantry ingredients.
In this guide, you’ll learn the basics of homemade custards and puddings, the differences between them, and step-by-step recipes to master both.
Custard vs. Pudding: What’s the Difference?
While both are creamy desserts, they’re not quite the same.
| Feature | Custard | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| Thickener | Eggs (sometimes with starch) | Cornstarch or flour |
| Texture | Silky, firm when baked | Soft, creamy, often looser |
| Cooking Method | Often baked or cooked gently | Cooked on the stovetop |
| Examples | Crème brûlée, flan, quiche | Chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding |
🥚 Custards rely more on eggs, while puddings use starch as their base thickener.
Basic Vanilla Custard (Crème Anglaise)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (500ml) milk or cream
- 4 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup (65g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, heat milk gently until steaming (don’t boil).
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt.
- Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture while whisking.
- Return to pot and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly (coats back of a spoon).
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Strain if needed and chill.
🍨 Serve with fruit, over cakes, or on its own. This is the base for many desserts!
Baked Custard (Simple Egg Custard)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 3 eggs
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Nutmeg (optional)
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients.
- Pour into ramekins and place in a baking dish with water (bain-marie).
- Bake at 160°C (325°F) for 35–45 minutes, until just set.
- Cool and refrigerate.
Simple Vanilla Pudding (No Eggs)
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)
Instructions:
- Whisk sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a saucepan.
- Add milk gradually, whisking to dissolve lumps.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter.
- Pour into bowls and chill.
✅ Kid-friendly and egg-free — super creamy and comforting!
Easy Chocolate Pudding
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups milk
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Whisk sugar, cocoa, salt, and cornstarch.
- Add milk and cook as in vanilla pudding.
- Stir in vanilla and butter at the end.
- Chill before serving.
🍫 Top with whipped cream or chocolate shavings!
Crème Caramel (Baked Caramel Custard)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup sugar (for caramel)
- 2 cups milk
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Make caramel: melt ½ cup sugar in a pan until amber, pour into ramekins.
- Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour over caramel in ramekins.
- Bake in water bath at 160°C (325°F) for 40–50 min.
- Cool, refrigerate, and invert to serve.
✨ A classic dessert that feels fancy but is easy to master.
Tips for Perfect Custards and Puddings
- Stir constantly when cooking stovetop pudding to avoid lumps.
- Don’t boil custard — gentle heat prevents curdling.
- Use a strainer if the custard has lumps or overcooked bits.
- Chill at least 2 hours before serving for best texture.
- Add flavors: cinnamon, espresso, lemon zest, coconut, or almond extract.
Serving Ideas
- Top with berries, nuts, or chocolate curls
- Layer in parfaits with fruit and granola
- Spoon over brownies, cakes, or pancakes
- Serve in mini jars for portion control or parties
- Dust with cocoa or powdered sugar before serving
Final Thought: Creamy Desserts, Made Simple
You don’t need fancy tools or ingredients to enjoy a silky custard or rich pudding at home. These timeless desserts are quick, affordable, and endlessly customizable — and they make even the simplest meal feel a bit more special.
So grab some milk, eggs, and sugar — and start stirring up something sweet and creamy today.