Stirred Custard Recipe

Shrimp and Grits is a Southern classic that’s both comforting and flavorful. This dish blends creamy, buttery grits with succulent shrimp sautéed in a zesty spice mix, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.

Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special brunch, this recipe hits the mark every time. My love for Shrimp and Grits began on a rainy Sunday when I craved something warm and indulgent.

The combination of velvety grits and spicy shrimp felt like a cozy hug, and I knew it was a recipe I’d keep coming back to. The creamy grits and perfectly seasoned shrimp, with a hint of garlic and cayenne pepper, make this dish stand out.

Its popularity reflects its comforting nature and versatility. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a meal that’s both special and homey. I’d love to hear your variations and tips!

Some Additional Tips for You!

1. Temper Those Eggs: When adding the hot cream to the egg mixture, do it slowly and whisk continuously. This tempering process prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures a smooth, creamy custard.
2. Choose Your Thickener Wisely: Use cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour to thicken your custard. Each one works slightly differently, so choose based on your preference and dietary needs. Cornstarch tends to give a smoother texture, while tapioca flour adds a bit of chewiness.
3. Embrace the Vanilla: Don’t skimp on the vanilla extract! It adds that classic, irresistible flavor to your custard. For an extra kick, you can even use a vanilla bean instead of extract for those beautiful specks of vanilla throughout.
4. Strain for Silky Smoothness: After cooking your custard, pass it through a fine-mesh strainer. This step removes any lumps or bits of cooked egg, giving you a silky smooth texture that’s pure perfection.
5. Prevent Skin Formation: Nobody wants skin on their custard! To prevent this from happening, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard before chilling. It creates a barrier and keeps your custard silky smooth.

What to Serve with Stirred Custard?

• Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream
• Almond Cookies
• Cherry Chip Cake
• Mango Sticky Rice

In Case You Have Leftovers!

• Storage: Homemade custard can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time.
• Reheating: Avoid microwaving chilled custard to prevent curdling. Instead, gently warm it in a double boiler, adding more cream or milk if needed to adjust the consistency.
• Make-ahead: Custard is a great make-ahead dessert. Just give it a stir before serving and add your favorite toppings.
• Fridge-friendly: Keep custard fresh by storing it in the fridge, ensuring it stays delicious for several days.
• Consistency: If the custard thickens in the fridge, thin it out with cream or milk before reheating.
• Serve warm: Enjoy custard warm by gently heating it in a double boiler, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture without curdling.

Stirred Custard Recipe

This homemade vanilla custard is silky, creamy, and super easy to make! 

4.41 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Calories: 353kcal

Author: Anne Carter

Servings: 4

Equipment

• ▢
  Medium Saucepan
• ▢
  Whisk
• ▢
  Wooden Spoon
• ▢
  Measuring Cups
• ▢
  Bowl
• ▢
  Fine-mesh strainer

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ 1 cup whole milk
• ▢ 5 large egg yolks
• ▢ 2 tablespoons honey
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cornstarch arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Heat cream and milk in a saucepan until simmering.
• Whisk egg yolks, honey, arrowroot powder, and vanilla in a bowl.
• Slowly pour half of the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
• Return the egg mixture to the saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until slightly thickened.
• Serve warm over desserts or chill in the fridge.
• Cover the custard with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
• Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
• Serve chilled and enjoy your creamy custard!

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 318mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1289IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 1mg

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