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Home » Desserts

Homemade thick custard

Updated: Sep 12, 2025 · Published: Feb 13, 2025 by LynnH · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Nothing is nicer than fresh homemade thick custard poured over a slice of apple pie or crumble. Even on its own, it tastes delicious, especially when homemade Vanilla extract is added. This will go nicely with a fruit crumble or Sticky Toffee and Date Pudding with a Toffee Sauce

Thick homemade custard in a dish.
Jump to:
  • Thick Cold Custard Uses
  • How to Make Thick Custard
  • Method
  • Storage
  • Tips

Thick Cold Custard Uses

Once this custard is cold, it sets nice and thick, very much like a creme patisserie/pastry cream. Use it in any of the following ways.

  • Fruit Tarts: Fill the pastry case with thick, cold custard, adding fresh fruit on top. Glaze with fruit syrup.
  • Cinnamon Rolls: Spread a thick layer of cold, thick custard over the cinnamon on the rolled-out sheet of puff pastry before rolling and slicing into individual sections.
  • Cream Puffs and Chocolate Eclairs: Fill a piping bag with cold, thick custard and pipe it into the centre of each one.
  • Keep it simple - Serve with stewed Rhubarb, hot or cold or this Rhubarb and Apple Lattice Tart.

How to Make Thick Custard

Ingredients

  • 200ml single cream
  • 300ml whole milk
  • 1 medium egg
  • 30g white caster sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract 
  • 30g corn flour or corn starch

Method

Stirring custard in a pan.

Step 1: Add all the ingredients (cream, milk, egg, sugar, Vanilla Extract, and cornflour) to a large pan and place it over medium heat. Stir continuously as you gradually bring the custard mixture to a simmer. 

Step 2: Continue stirring as the custard begins to thicken. Test for thickness by moving your finger across the back of a spoon or spatula. Once you have the required consistency, take the pan off the heat and serve.

We love thick custard. See the tip below if you want a thinner custard. You could also serve it poured over a slice of Apple and Frangipane Galette.

Storage

This will keep in the fridge for a couple of days. As mentioned in the tip below, cover with clingfilm.

Tips

  • Place a sheet of clingfilm over the surface of the custard as it cools to help prevent skin from forming.
  • If you want thinner pouring custard, add more milk or less cornflour.
  • This thick custard, when cold and set, is suitable for filling tarts and other pastries, as mentioned above.
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Thick homemade custard in a dish.

Homemade Thick Custard

LynnH
An easy, step by step recipe for making thick homemade custard.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 200 ml single cream
  • 300 ml whole milk
  • 1 medium egg
  • 30 g white caster sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 30 g corn flour or corn starch

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Add all the ingredients (200 ml single cream, 300 ml whole milk, 1 medium egg, 30 g white caster sugar, ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract30 g corn flour or corn starch) to a large pan and place it over medium heat. Stir continuously as you gradually bring the custard mixture to a simmer.
  • Step 2: Continue stirring as the custard begins to thicken. Test for thickness by moving your finger across the back of a spoon or spatula. Once you have the required consistency, take the pan off the heat and serve.

Notes

  • Storage
    This will keep in the fridge for a couple of days. Cover with clingfilm as mentioned below.
  • Tips
    Place a sheet of clingfilm over the surface of the custard as it cools to help prevent skin from forming.
  • If you want thinner pouring custard, add more milk or less cornflour.
  • When cold and set, this thick custard is suitable for filling tarts and other pastries, as mentioned above.
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