How to make Chocolate Custard with Custard Powder

Quick and easy to make chocolate custard recipe using store bought custard powder. It is creamy, delicious and perfect make ahead dessert. Make a fruit salad or top it with crushed chocolate cookies for a simply decadent treat.

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Traditionally custard is made with milk and egg yolks. But this quick chocolate custard recipe uses custard powder instead. The end result is the same creamy, dreamy, chocolaty treat that is much simpler and easier to make.

As a mom, I am always on the lookout for easy recipes that appeal to my kids. Both of them love chocolate, so this creamy and delicious chocolate custard is a special treat for them.

This recipe came about years ago when my son was against anything vanilla flavored. So I made custard with cocoa powder to custard to make this chocolate version of it and he loved it. Since then, I have been making this version more than the traditional vanilla one.

Easy Chocolate Custard Recipe:

Chocolate custard is technically made with milk/ cream, egg yolks, sugar and of course chocolate. This involves tempering yolks, to make sure that they don’t curdle and other techniques that might be a little challenging.

So to makes things easy, I use store-bought custard powder. I prefer this easy egg-free custard version because it is fool proof and perfect for a beginner cook.

Ingredients:

Custard powder is the key to making this chocolate dessert. In India we generally use Brown and Polson custard powder, this is widely available in Indian grocery stores. But Bird’s custard powder is great as well.

Custard powder ingredients include cornstarch with a bit of salt, added color and flavoring ingredients. So, if you can’t source custard powder, you can definitely use equal amount of cornstarch (aka corn flour) in the recipe.

Other ingredients you need are:

• Milk – I’ve only used dairy milk, but I bet non-dairy milk like almond and oat would also work in this recipe.
• Sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa
• Vanilla extract

Instructions

Combine 2 cups of milk and sugar in a heavy bottomed sauce pan and bring to a simmer.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup of milk with custard powder and cocoa powder. Whisk well making sure that there are no lumps. Set aside.

Once the milk comes to a low boil, remove from heat and slowly stir in the custard powder mixture while whisking continuously.

Put the pan back on heat and cook on medium-low flame, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.* The mixture should coat the back of the spoon.

Remove from heat and pour into a medium bowl. Stir in vanilla extract. Place a clingwrap right on the surface of the custard to avoid skin formation. Then let the mixture cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

To serve, top with fruit, cookie crumbs, chopped nuts and enjoy.

Tips:

• Preferably whole milk, but 2% milk will also work.
• Custard powder can be substituted with equal amount of cornstarch (aka corn flour) in the recipe.
• Use oat or almond milk to make this custard vegan.
• Make sure to constantly whisk the milk after adding the custard slurry. This helps to avoid lump formation and also scalding at the bottom of the saucepan.
• If you want thicker custard, add 1~2 tablespoons more of the custard powder.
• You can make and chill the custard at least 2 days before serving. 
• Add fruit or cookie crumb toppings just before serving. Chopped nuts can be added ahead of time.
• Chocolate Custard Serving Ideas:
  • Make a custard bar for parties – serve toppings in individual bowls, so the kids can choose whatever they want. My kids favorites are crushed oreos, mini chocolate chips etc. Healthy options like berries, bananas etc are also great.
  • Fill a store bought or homemade pie crust with the custard. Chill and serve with whipped cream and berries on top.
  • Fill eclairs or use as a cake filling.

FAQ

Few more Custard Powder recipes

Here are a few recipes using custard powder:

• Custard with Gulab Jamun & Praline Topping
• Mango custard
• Noodley Pudding (custard pudding with semya)
• Tutti fruity cookies
• Eggless French toast
• Russian Honey Cake
• Eggless stuffed French toast roll ups

I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, tag in your creations on Instagram @cook_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

Chocolate Custard with Custard Powder

Quick and Easy to make Chocolate custard using store bought custard powder. It’s creamy and delicious and is kid friendly.

Author: Pavani

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Chilling Time:: 4 hrs

Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 2¼ cups Milk*, divided
• 3 tablespoons Custard powder or Cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• As needed Toppings of choice – Oreo cookies, Banana, berries, apple and so on

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of milk with custard powder and cocoa powder. Whisk well making sure that there are no lumps. Set aside.
• Combine the remaining 2 cups of milk and sugar in a heavy bottomed sauce pan and bring to a simmer.
• Once the milk comes to a low boil, remove from heat and slowly stir in the custard powder mixture while whisking continuously.
• Put the pan back on heat and cook on medium-low flame, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.* The mixture should coat the back of the spoon.
• Remove from heat and pour into a medium bowl. Stir in vanilla extract. Place a clingwrap right on the surface of the custard to avoid skin formation. Then let the mixture cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
• To serve, top with fruit, cookie crumbs, chopped nuts and enjoy.

Notes

• Preferably whole milk, but 2% milk will also work.
• Custard powder can be substituted with equal amount of cornstarch (aka corn flour) in the recipe.
• Use oat or almond milk to make this custard vegan.
• Make sure to constantly whisk the milk after adding the custard slurry. This helps to avoid lump formation and also scalding at the bottom of the saucepan.
• If you want thicker custard, add 1~2 tablespoons more of the custard powder.
• You can make and chill the custard at least 2 days before serving. 
• Add fruit or cookie crumb toppings just before serving. Chopped nuts can be added ahead of time.
• Chocolate Custard Serving Ideas:
  • Make a custard bar for parties – serve toppings in individual bowls, so the kids can choose whatever they want. My kids favorites are crushed oreos, mini chocolate chips etc. Healthy options like berries, bananas etc are also great.
  • Fill a store bought or homemade pie crust with the custard. Chill and serve with whipped cream and berries on top.
  • Fill eclairs or use as a cake filling.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Custard with Custard Powder

Amount per Serving

Calories

102

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

2

g

3

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Cholesterol

 

26

mg

9

%

Sodium

 

63

mg

3

%

Potassium

 

177

mg

5

%

Carbohydrates

 

17

g

6

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

11

g

12

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

106

IU

2

%

Vitamin C

 

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

 

123

mg

12

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.