Chocolate Custard with Custard Powder Recipe

Name: Chocolate Custard with Custard Powder
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 260 min
Ingredients: 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

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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.

Chocolate custard topped with chopped berries, crushed cookies and nuts in a glass bottle

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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.

Chocolate custard topped with chopped berries, crushed cookies and nuts in a glass bottle with a spoon inside

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.

Ingredients needed - details in recipe card

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.

Step by step photos showing saucepan with milk and sugar whisked together and brought to a boil

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.

Step by Step photos showing custard powder and cocoa powder being mixed with milk to form a slurry

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.

Step by step photos showing adding chocolate-custard powder mixture being added to boiling milk. Whisked until thick and vanilla extract is added

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.

Hand holding a spoon with chocolate pudding and strawberries

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

Can chocolate custard be made vegan?

Yes, definitely. Use plant based milk like Oat or Almond milk instead of dairy milk in the recipe.

Why is my custard not thickening?

Custard powder/ cornstarch needs to be cooked through for the custard to thicken. So, make sure to cook it long enough for this happen. Also if you want thicker custard, add 1~2 tablespoons more of the custard powder.

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

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