How To Make Custard Powder

Discover How To Make Custard Powder in only 10 minutes, and you’ll always be able to whip up a tasty dessert in no time!

One of my favorite desserts growing up was custard. I remember reading the ingredient label at the grocery store years ago and deciding not to buy the mix due to some unwanted ingredients. I never considered learning how to make custard powder at home until recently, and now I’m hooked on this simple, quick recipe. Besides, for anyone who doesn’t want the hassle of making custard with eggs, this recipe is a game-changer.

The best part of this is that you can easily adapt it to any dietary needs. For example, I use coconut milk powder when I make this for myself. I also substitute arrowroot powder or tapioca starch for the cornstarch. Potato starch is another option for replacing cornstarch. And since I don’t use regular sugar, I use maple or date sugar instead.

Now, if you’re wondering about the vanilla sugar and how to make that with my choice of sweeteners, check out this recipe for Vanilla Sugar. It will show you how to prepare it in advance (crucial, as it takes a couple of weeks for the vanilla to infuse into the sugar) and with various types of sweetener. Trust me when I tell you that vanilla date sugar is incredible! Obviously, the taste of your custard will depend on the ingredients used to make the powder and the custard.

Now, being the foodie health nut that I am, I also avoid artificial colors whenever possible. Lo and behold, there are natural alternatives to powdered food color that you can purchase. These products are made from concentrated fruits, vegetables, and spices. I can also tell you that turmeric will work in a pinch, and a pinch is all you need to color your custard powder lightly.

Of course, there’s no need to color your custard powder. It is only there to give a slight egg color to your finished custard or sauce. I omitted it completely the first time I made this recipe and added it the second time. There was no difference in how the custard powder worked in other recipes.

How to use custard powder

Now that we’ve discussed how to make custard powder, it’s time to learn how to use it. Once you make your powder mix, it is always ready whenever you want for a variety of recipes. The logical first choice is to make an egg-free custard. Combine one-half cup of custard powder with two cups of milk in a saucepan. Add two tablespoons of sugar (taste to see if you need a little more) and whisk continuously as the mixture thickens over medium heat. To create a thicker custard for pastry filling and trifles, use more custard powder. Make chocolate custard by adding one-half cup unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder.

Another excellent use for your custard powder is this recipe for Nanaimo Bars, a Canadian dessert featuring layers of chocolate, cream, and coconut. This recipe uses three tablespoons of custard powder, and making it with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs yielded a dessert that I found to be seriously addictive.

How do I store leftovers?

After learning how to make custard powder, the next step is to store it to keep it as fresh as possible. I recommend placing it in an airtight container and storing it in a cool, dry location away from heat and light. It will stay fresh for 3 months, but if you want it to last longer, refrigerate it for 6 months.

Serving suggestions

Now that you know how to make custard powder and how to use it, let’s look at some of the ways you can enjoy that prepared custard. This is where we get decadent with our meals and desserts. Make a thicker version of the custard and spoon it over French Toast Bagels, or use it for this Hootenanny Recipe. Use it to fill these Mini Tart Shells and top with berries or other assorted fruits. A thinner custard is delicious poured over German Pancakes or Pineapple Pie.