5.10.2013

My Mother's Custard



Ah yes. A perfect, basic custard. Nothing fancy and nothing better. Don't we all have a favorite recipe? I don't care how many recipes I've tried, I always come back to this one. It's one of the most comforting desserts around, not overly sweet, perfect for kids when they don't feel well and I make it often to take to friends who are under the weather or on limited diets. Everyone loves custard. Mother made it all the time when we were children and continued to make it all her life. 

The key to any custard is in the baking. The biggest problem? Overbaking. If your custard comes out watery or has holes in it, you've overbaked it. A custard should be smooth and creamy, not watery, with a consistency somewhat like Jello. 
All ovens are different and until you know exactly how your custard will bake, start sticking a knife into one of your custards before the baking time is up. I've noticed the oven in my new house seems to run hot so I actually turned the heat down a bit to start with and the knife still came out clean 5 minutes early. When the knife comes out clean, take them out, forget what the timer says. 
Cool and refrigerate.

It sounds odd to put paper towels in the bottom of the pan, but my mother did it; she told me it makes for even baking. I ask you, who would know better?


Happy Mother's Day everyone!



Mother's Custard



Ingredients:
3 slightly beaten eggs
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
2 cups scalded milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
freshly grated nutmeg

Method:
Preheat oven to 325
Combine eggs, sugar and salt until well mixed. Do not beat. Slowly add scalded milk, stirring, not whipping (you don't want foam) and then the vanilla. Strain into a pitcher and then pour into your custard cups. Bake in a pan whose sides are not deeper than the custard cups and has a sheet of paper toweling in the bottom. Place the custard cups on top and fill the pan half way up the cups with boiling water. Now sprinkle on the nutmeg.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.




29 comments:

  1. Gorgeous. A baked custard is such a joy!

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  2. Favored by many:) Have a great weekend Barbara~

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  3. Gorgeous custard and spectacular presentation. Recipes from Mom are always the best. Happy Mother's Day Barbara.
    Sam

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  4. Good Afternoon Barbara, Happy Mother's Day, I hope you are having a fabulous day today.
    Do you know I can make pouring custard, but I really have never been successful making baked custards, which I love.
    I am going to try your step by step instructions, I do hope they turn out as beautifully as yours.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  5. A perfect custard...so tender and beautiful.

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  6. I may have to try this. I don't like jello or pudding, but I do like a mousse once in a while, and this looks creamy enough to tempt me...

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  7. Exquisite! This custard looks perfect. Great texture.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. I love a good old fashioned custard!

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  9. Ohh your custard looks scrumptious! happy Mother's day to you too!
    Mary x

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  10. OMY Look perfect and delicious!!
    Hope you have a lovely and happy moms day!!

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  11. You are right - Mother knows best. Lovely custard. Happy Mother's Day Barbara.

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  12. That's a ramekin of comfort right there! Happy Mother's Day!

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  13. This is EXACTLY how my mother made custard. I had it all the time growing up and loved it. I've not made it for awhile.

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  14. You know, I make lemon pudding when I'm in the mood for something warm and comforting... I go through a bag of lemons every fortnight on such things. Never heard of the paper towel under the custard cup but it sounds like a winning notion... keeping away hot spots. Your custard has a perfect texture... mother was right!

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  15. You know, I make lemon pudding when I'm in the mood for something warm and comforting... I go through a bag of lemons every fortnight on such things. Never heard of the paper towel under the custard cup but it sounds like a winning notion... keeping away hot spots. Your custard has a perfect texture... mother was right!

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  16. The texture looks perfect! I have to try the paper towel lining the pan. Mothers always know best!

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  17. Amiga se ve muy tentador muy sabroso una verdadera delica ..Feliz día de la Madre bendiciones...abrazos y abrazos.

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  18. looks perfect and sounds like your mum had this down, happy mothers day :-)

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  19. Happy mothers day my friend, sounds like this custard is perfect :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  20. A perfect custard. So good and so beautiful. Happy Mother's Day.

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  21. That custard looks perfect! Kudos to your Mom and Happy Mother's Day!

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  22. yum. that is such a decadent treat, i'll even accept the grated nutmeg on top in place of cinnamon. :)

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  23. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY mothers day with lots and lots od LOVE
    xxxxxxxxxx

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  24. A beautifully baked custard never goes out of style. Your mother was a wise cook indeed :) It looks so creamy and good.

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  25. a classic that never goes out of favour.

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  26. I loooooove soft food, things I don't really have to chew. I'm looking forward to my 90s when I don't have any teef. :) This looks scrumptious! I can almost smell it. Mmmmmmm

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  27. wonderful---you've convinced me! bookmarked.
    looks like the custard has the perfect creamy-dreamy texture. thanks for sharing your mom's best.

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