Ultimate Guide To Popular Custard Variations For Dessert Lovers

Classic vanilla custard is the foundation of countless desserts. Whether you want to enjoy it as is or use it as a filling for pies and tarts, vanilla custard is unmatchable. The best part? It can be quickly whipped up by cooking egg yolks, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. 

Mixed fruit custard is one of the most frequently made variations in Indian homes. Mixing chopped seasonal fruits like mangoes, apples, bananas, grapes, etc., into chilled vanilla custard makes a refreshing summer dessert. To make it fancier, you can add a garnish of dry fruits and pomegranate seeds.

Crème brûlée is a French classic known for its dramatic contrast between a crisp caramelised sugar crust and a soft, creamy custard underneath. It can be made with egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. The custard base is baked till set and then chilled. Before serving, a thin layer of sugar is sprinkled and then caramelised for a glassy shell.

Caramel custard, also known as flan or crème caramel, is one of the most loved types of custard. The dessert is characterised by its utterly sweet caramelised base. To get the sugary base, all you need to do is caramelise the sugar, then pour in the custard. You can then let both layers cool, then refrigerate for a classic flan.

If you love infusing desserts with coffee, custard makes a great base. All you need to do to make coffee custard is take a freshly brewed coffee and infuse it in the cream you would use to make the custard. Cook the coffee-infused cream with eggs and sugar on low heat till creamy. Let it chill and serve with a garnish of whole coffee beans.