custard Recipes
35 delicious custard recipes from around the world
Bougatsa (Thessaloniki Custard Pie)
A beloved Northern Greek breakfast pastry from Thessaloniki, featuring layers of crisp phyllo dough encasing a rich, creamy semolina custard. Best enjoyed warm and dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Canelé
Bordeaux fluted cakes - rum and vanilla custard cakes with a deeply caramelized, crisp crust and a tender, custardy interior. A signature sweet from the Bordeaux region.
Clafoutis aux Cerises
A classic French dessert from the Limousin region, featuring plump black cherries baked in a rich, thick, custardy batter. This simple yet elegant dish is a country-style perfection.
Classic British Bread and Butter Pudding
A comforting and classic British dessert made from custard-soaked bread, baked until golden and delicious. Perfect for using up stale bread.
Crema Catalana
Crema Catalana, meaning 'Catalan cream,' is a traditional Spanish dessert that predates its French counterpart, crème brûlée. It features a rich, citrus and cinnamon-infused custard base topped with a brittle, caramelized sugar crust.
Crème Brûlée
French burnt cream - a luxurious and silky vanilla custard base crowned with a shatteringly crisp, caramelized sugar crust. The satisfying crack of the spoon through the sugar is the signature joy of this classic dessert.
Far Breton
A dense, custardy baked flan from Brittany, traditionally made with prunes. This simple yet beloved dessert has a rich, comforting texture.
Farófias (Portuguese Meringue Islands in Custard)
A classic Portuguese dessert featuring delicate, cloud-like meringue 'islands' gently poached and served afloat in a rich, creamy vanilla custard. Often dusted with cinnamon for a warm, aromatic finish.
Flan Español
A classic Spanish caramel custard, featuring a silky smooth egg custard base topped with a rich, dark caramel sauce. It's the perfect elegant dessert to conclude any meal.
Galaktoboureko
A classic Greek dessert featuring a rich, creamy semolina custard baked between layers of crisp, golden phyllo dough, all generously drenched in a fragrant citrus-infused syrup.
Îles Flottantes (Floating Islands)
A classic French dessert featuring ethereal poached meringue 'islands' floating on a rich, vanilla-infused crème anglaise, all drizzled with delicate caramel threads. It's a light, elegant, and visually stunning treat.
Leche Frita (Fried Milk)
A beloved Spanish dessert, Leche Frita features a rich, thick milk custard infused with citrus and spice, chilled until firm, cut into portions, coated, and then deep-fried to a golden crisp. It's dusted with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture and is traditionally served warm.
Zabaglione (Italian Egg Custard)
A classic Italian dessert, Zabaglione is a warm, frothy custard made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and Marsala wine over a bain-marie. It's light, airy, and delicately sweet, perfect served with fresh berries.
Bánh Flan (Vietnamese Caramel Custard)
A silky smooth, French-influenced crème caramel, elevated by the richness of condensed milk and a hint of vanilla. This Vietnamese dessert is a delightful sweet ending to any meal.
Chawanmushi (Japanese Savory Egg Custard)
A delicate and silky steamed egg custard, traditionally served as an elegant appetizer or side dish. This version features tender shrimp and chicken, with the option of ginkgo nuts for an authentic touch.
Filipino Leche Flan
A rich, dense, and velvety caramel custard, considered an essential dessert for any Filipino celebration or fiesta. This version focuses on achieving a smooth texture and deep caramel flavor.
Gyeran Jjim (Korean Steamed Egg)
A light, fluffy, and savory Korean steamed egg custard, often served as a comforting side dish. This recipe uses a traditional ttukbaegi (earthenware pot) for even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
Hor Mok Pla (Thai Steamed Fish Curry Custard)
An elegant and flavorful Thai steamed fish curry custard, also known as a fish mousse, traditionally steamed in individual banana leaf cups. The delicate texture and aromatic spices make it a delightful appetizer or light main course.
Khanom Mo Kaeng (Thai Mung Bean Custard)
A beloved traditional Thai dessert, Khanom Mo Kaeng is a baked custard made from mung beans, coconut cream, and eggs, offering a rich, slightly sweet, and custardy texture. It's often topped with crispy fried shallots for a delightful savory contrast.
Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding)
A beloved Japanese konbini (convenience store) staple, this purin is a silky smooth, delicate custard pudding with a rich, slightly bitter caramel sauce. It's softer and less dense than a traditional French flan.
Sangkhaya (Thai Coconut Custard)
A classic Thai dessert featuring a rich, silky coconut custard, traditionally steamed inside a small pumpkin or coconut shell. This elegant dessert is subtly sweet and fragrant with pandan.
Sangkhaya Fak Thong (Thai Pumpkin Coconut Custard)
A traditional Thai dessert where a rich, creamy coconut custard is steamed inside a whole, tender pumpkin, creating an edible and beautiful serving vessel.
Zheng Dan (Chinese Steamed Egg Custard)
A silky smooth, savory steamed egg custard. This is the gentlest, most comforting, and easiest dish in Chinese home cooking, perfect for any meal.
Bienmesabe
A rich and creamy Venezuelan coconut pudding, often described as 'tastes good to me' (Bienmesabe). This dessert has colonial origins and is a delightful sweet treat.