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Dreamy Warm Baked Custard Recipe

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5 from 56 reviews

This Dreamy Warm Baked Custard is a classic, smooth, and creamy dessert with a delicate vanilla flavor and a hint of nutmeg. It’s gently baked in a warm water bath to ensure a silky texture and perfect custard consistency. Serve chilled and optionally topped with fresh berries for a refreshing touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 cups whole milk

Optional Topping

  • Fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. Crank your oven up to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the custard.
  2. Warm the milk. Pour the whole milk into a small saucepan and warm it on the stove until you see little bubbles forming along the pan’s edges. Remove from heat and let it sit to cool slightly.
  3. Mix eggs, sugar, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until combined but not frothy, avoiding incorporating too much air.
  4. Combine milk and egg mixture. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while continuously stirring to create a smooth custard base. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract at the end.
  5. Strain the custard. Pass the custard mixture through a wire strainer into a 1.5-quart round baking dish to ensure an ultra-smooth texture. Sprinkle the top lightly with ground nutmeg.
  6. Prepare a water bath. Place the baking dish inside a larger pan. Carefully pour hot water into the larger pan until the water reaches about half an inch from the rim of the inner dish, creating a water bath to gently bake the custard.
  7. Bake the custard. Place the setup on the oven rack and bake for close to an hour, starting to check around 55 minutes. Insert a knife near the center; if it comes out clean, the custard is done. The center should still have a slight jiggle for perfect creaminess.
  8. Cool the custard. Immediately remove the baking dish from the water bath and set it on a rack to cool for about 30 minutes.
  9. Chill before serving. After cooling, cover and refrigerate the custard until it is thoroughly chilled.
  10. Serve with optional berries. When ready to serve, top the custard with a handful of fresh berries if desired for a fresh, vibrant contrast.

Notes

  • Be careful not to over-whisk the eggs to avoid air bubbles that can cause a grainy texture.
  • Maintaining the water bath temperature is essential to prevent curdling and ensure smooth custard.
  • Use whole milk for the richest flavor and creamiest texture; half-and-half or cream can be used for an even richer custard.
  • Letting the custard rest and chill improves the flavor and texture.
  • Adding freshly grated nutmeg to the top before baking enhances the aroma and flavor.

Keywords: baked custard, classic custard, creamy dessert, vanilla custard, nutmeg custard, water bath custard, chilled dessert

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/dreamy-warm-baked-custard-recipe/