Description
This Old-Fashioned Baked Custard is a rich, creamy dessert made with simple ingredients like eggs, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla. Baked gently in a water bath, it develops a smooth, silky texture with a lightly spiced cinnamon-nutmeg topping. Serve it warm for a cozy homestyle dessert or chilled for a refreshing make-ahead treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Baked Custard
- 6 large eggs
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground nutmeg, for topping
- Ground cinnamon, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Place a 2-quart oven-safe baking dish inside a large, deep roasting pan.
- Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until fully combined.
- Warm the milk gently in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl until hot but not boiling.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Lightly sprinkle the surface with ground nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Carefully pour hot water into the roasting pan around the custard dish until the water reaches approximately 1 inch up the sides of the baking dish.
- Carefully transfer the roasting pan to the oven.
- Bake for 45–60 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The center should still have a slight jiggle.
- Carefully remove the custard dish from the water bath.
- Allow the custard to cool for 15–20 minutes before serving warm.
- For chilled custard, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Dust with additional cinnamon or nutmeg just before serving, if desired.
Notes
- For the smoothest custard: Warm the milk until hot but never boiling, and add it slowly while whisking constantly.
- Do not overbake: Remove the custard when the edges are set but the center still has a gentle jiggle. It will continue to firm as it cools.
- Use a water bath: This provides gentle, even heat and helps prevent curdling or a grainy texture.
- Make ahead: The custard can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated until serving.
- Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Flavor variation: Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the custard mixture, or substitute almond, maple, or coconut extract for some or all of the vanilla.
- Serving ideas: Serve plain or with fresh berries, sliced peaches, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce.
- Dairy-free option: Unsweetened almond, coconut, or oat milk can be substituted for whole milk, although the final texture will vary slightly.
- Crème brûlée variation: Sprinkle the chilled custard with a thin layer of sugar and broil briefly until caramelized, watching carefully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings
- Calories: 223
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 11g
Keywords: Old-Fashioned Baked Custard