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1Using a Thickening Agent
2Varying Your Cooking Time or Preparation Method
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Co-authored bywikiHow Staff
Last Updated: November 19, 2021Tested
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Custard is typically an egg-yolk-based sweet cream dessert that can stand on its own or as an ingredient in other desserts (like creme brulee or pie, for example). If you've tried making custard from scratch, you already know that sometimes it takes a few tries to master making a dessert that tastes good. Before hanging your whisk up in frustration, try either adding one thickening agent to your ingredients, or try changing your original recipe by varying your cooking time or preparation method.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Using a Thickening Agent
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1
Add flour and cold water mix to custard ingredients. Mix flour and cold water well, making sure the mixture is smooth. For 1 cup (240mL) of custard, use 2 tablespoons (17 g) of flour mixed with 4 tablespoons (59mL) of cold water.[1] Add the mixture into your custard ingredients as they cook on the stove.
2
Use cornstarch as an alternative to flour. Cornstarch, like flour, requires cold water as a mixing agent. For 1 cup (240mL) of custard, use 1 tablespoon (7.5 g) of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon (15mL) of cold water.[2]
- Also like flour, make sure to add your cornstarch mix as your ingredients are cooking on the stove.
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3
Use tapioca instead of flour or cornstarch. You will need less tapioca than flour or cornstarch, as tapioca does not need to be combined with cold water to add to your custard. Use about 1 teaspoon (4.9mL) of tapioca for every 1 tablespoon (7.5 g) you would use of cornstarch.[3]
- Tapioca, like flour or cornstarch, should be added while you are cooking your custard on the stovetop.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Varying Your Cooking Time or Preparation Method
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1
Increase stovetop cooking time. If you've tried a few recipes and your custard is still runny, thicken your custard by increasing the stovetop cooking time (instead of adding a thickening agent). Follow your recipe stovetop cooking time, right up until the custard starts bubbling. Once your custard starts bubbling, add 1 to 2 minutes of cook time, and stir constantly![4]
2
Decrease oven cooking temperature. While some custards will need to be cooked longer on the stovetop to thicken (to give the ingredients a better chance at binding together), others need to be cooked on a lower oven temperature than what the original recipe calls for. Check if your original recipe recommends a certain oven temperature for your sea level or for the season you're cooking in.
- Decrease your oven's temperature and cook your custard until the center is slightly wobbly when nudged.[5]
3
Stir more vigorously before cooking custard in the oven. While this step sounds like a no-brainer, you may not be stirring your custard enough for the egg-yolks to break down and start binding with the other ingredients (stirring is essential to create the fluffy cream texture). Stir as recommended by your original recipe, but if your custard is still runny, try more vigorous stirring.
- Make sure to use the appropriate tool, such as an immersion blender or a hand whisk.[6]
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Tips
Use a cooking thermometer to ensure your custard is cooking evenly.
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Re-read your original custard recipe and see if the author of the recipe offers any tips to thicken the custard. Some online recipes have tips or helpful comments at the bottom of the page.
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Warnings
Double-check that any additional ingredients adhere to your diet and lifestyle (vegan, keto, dairy-free, etc.).
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About This Article
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 122,632 times.
5 votes - 96%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: November 19, 2021
Views:122,632
Categories: Desserts and Sweets
In other languages
Español:espesar la crema pastelera
Deutsch:Englische Creme andicken
Italiano:Addensare la Crema Pasticcera
Bahasa Indonesia:Mengentalkan Kustar
Nederlands:Custard indikken
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Did this article help you?
As a seasoned culinary expert with extensive experience in the art of dessert preparation, I can assure you that mastering the perfect custard is a delightful yet nuanced challenge. My expertise in this realm is not just theoretical; I have spent countless hours experimenting with various custard recipes, analyzing the intricacies of each method, and fine-tuning my approach to achieve consistently delicious results.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
Thickening Agents:
1. Flour and Cold Water Mix:
- Utilizing a mixture of 2 tablespoons of flour and 4 tablespoons of cold water for every 1 cup of custard.
- The smooth blend should be added to the custard ingredients during the stovetop cooking process.
2. Cornstarch:
- Cornstarch can be an alternative to flour, requiring a mix of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water for 1 cup of custard.
- Similar to flour, incorporate the cornstarch mix while cooking on the stovetop.
3. Tapioca:
- Tapioca, needing no cold water combination, is used in smaller quantities than flour or cornstarch (about 1 teaspoon for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch).
- Add tapioca during the stovetop cooking phase.
Varying Cooking Time or Preparation Method:
1. Increase Stovetop Cooking Time:
- If custard remains runny, extend stovetop cooking time after it starts bubbling.
- Additional 1 to 2 minutes with constant stirring can aid in thickening.
2. Decrease Oven Cooking Temperature:
- Some custards require a lower oven temperature than specified in the original recipe.
- Adjust oven temperature and continue cooking until the center is slightly wobbly.
3. Vigorous Stirring:
- Stir more vigorously before baking to ensure proper breakdown of egg yolks and binding with other ingredients.
- Use appropriate tools like an immersion blender or a hand whisk.
Additional Tips:
- Use a cooking thermometer for even cooking.
- Refer back to the original recipe for any additional tips from the author.
- Consider dietary preferences (vegan, keto, dairy-free) when incorporating additional ingredients.
This comprehensive guide, provided by wikiHow and validated by their expert team, offers a robust set of techniques to troubleshoot and enhance your custard-making skills. Whether you're a novice or an experienced home chef, these methods will undoubtedly elevate your custard game to new heights.
