How to Thicken Custard: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Using a Thickening Agent

2Varying Your Cooking Time or Preparation Method

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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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. How to Thicken Custard: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (10)

    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

    How to Thicken Custard: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (15)

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    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 139,183 times.

    8 votes - 85%

    Co-authors: 4

    Updated: February 2, 2024

    Views:139,183

    Categories: Desserts and Sweets

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    How to Thicken Custard: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

    FAQs

    How to make custard thicker? ›

    Using a Thickening Agent

    For 1 cup (240 mL) of custard, use 2 tablespoons (17 g) of flour mixed with 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of cold water. Add the mixture into your custard ingredients as they cook on the stove. Use cornstarch as an alternative to flour. Cornstarch, like flour, requires cold water as a mixing agent.

    How do you thicken ready bought custard? ›

    To thicken your custard, place your store-bought custard in a medium saucepan with the vanilla bean paste. In a separate bowl, combine cornflour with 1tbsp water, and mix until well-combined. Add to the custard, and simmer for a few minutes until thickened.

    Why isn't my custard thickening up? ›

    Keep an eye on the heat when cooking the custard - too low and it won't thicken, too high and you'll have scrambled eggs.

    Will custard thicken without cornstarch? ›

    There are some cooking purists that say that to make proper custard you shouldn't need any flour or cornflour to aid thickening, you should let the egg yolks do all the work.

    How do you get custard to set? ›

    You don't want the custard so cold that it sets and breaks up as you spread it. The easiest way to cool the custard is to put it into a large bowl in a sink of cold water. It will take about 15 minutes. If you want it to set, put it in the fridge for an hour.

    How do you stop watery custard? ›

    The easy and sure way to thicken custard for trifle, tinned custard or homemade using powder, is, if it's tinned whisk in an egg yolk put it in a pan and bring to the boil whisking all the time. Keep whisking and boiling for 1 minute.

    What is the thickest ready made custard? ›

    Ambrosia Deluxe is our thickest, most luxurious velvety custard and rice. Deluxe is made at our West Country Creamery and blended with our finest ingredients such as fresh cream and vanilla extract to create the perfect indulgent dessert.

    Does ready made custard set? ›

    I wouldn't use carton custard as it doesn't set, nothing worse than runny trifle, custard powder should work just make a strong mix.

    How to thicken custard with gelatin? ›

    While it is still hot, add the gelatin from Step 1 and mix it in quickly to dissolve it. Using a strainer and a spatula, strain Step 8 well into a bowl. Place the bowl from Step 9 in a bowlful of ice water and use the spatula to stir the mixture. It will gradually thicken.

    What are common mistakes with making custard? ›

    The most common mistake people make with custards is that they tend to overcook them. Custards need to come out of the oven just before they're completely cooked because they will continue baking even after you take them out of the oven.

    How to fix broken custard? ›

    If you notice lumps beginning to form in a custard, immediately pour it out of the hot pot into a bowl and pulse it with a handheld blender in five-second intervals until it is nearly smooth. This can take from 15 to 45 seconds, depending on how big the lumps are.

    How to tell if custard is set? ›

    Insert knife about 1 inch from the center of a one-dish custard; midway between center and edge of cups. If knife is clean when pulled out, the custard is done. If any custard clings to the blade, bake a few minutes longer and test again.

    What thickens a custard? ›

    Custard is a decadent dessert made with eggs, milk, and sugar. Eggs are responsible for custard's thick and velvety texture, but some recipes (such as this one) call for thickeners such as cornstarch or arrowroot for extra richess.

    How to make ready made custard thicker? ›

    You could try mixing some cornflour (about a dessert spoonful) with a little cold milk until it has dissolved into a smooth paste. Heat the custard gently and stir in the cornflour mix little by little, it should thicken up as it comes to the boil and the extra cornflour should help stabilise it.

    What can you use instead of cornstarch in custard? ›

    Cornstarch often teams up with egg yolks to thicken a custard or pudding. Swapping in all-purpose or rice flour is your best bet here, since tapioca, potato starch, and arrowroot powder can be finicky with respect to cooking and holding.

    How to make bird's custard thick? ›

    When the milk is hot (but not bubbling) I pour it into the jug and whisk it up quickly. I then usually pour the whole lot back into the pan and heat gently til it thickens. Birds instructions on the tin will give you a pouring custard.

    How do you thicken custard icing? ›

    Cornstarch Stir in 1 tsp (3.25 g) of cornstarch with your frosting mixture and see if it becomes less runny overall. Always work in small increments, rather than adding too much at once. This can be a great way to thicken your frosting without making it sweeter in the process.

    Can you thicken custard with gelatin? ›

    While it is still hot, add the gelatin from Step 1 and mix it in quickly to dissolve it. Using a strainer and a spatula, strain Step 8 well into a bowl. Place the bowl from Step 9 in a bowlful of ice water and use the spatula to stir the mixture. It will gradually thicken.

    How to fix lumpy custard? ›

    If you notice lumps beginning to form in a custard, immediately pour it out of the hot pot into a bowl and pulse it with a handheld blender in five-second intervals until it is nearly smooth. This can take from 15 to 45 seconds, depending on how big the lumps are.

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