Fruit Custard
Jun 27, 2019
Simple and easy Fruit Custard makes a refreshing dessert. It's a great way to enjoy all the fruits in season!
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Simple Fruit Custard makes a light and refreshing summer dessert.
My mom made this custard whenever we had lot of fruits in the house. It’s quick, easy and delicious!
When I was little, there were three types of desserts that were commonly made in our house- kheer, halwa ( mostly of sooji (semolina)/atta (whole wheat flour) and fruit custard.
These desserts were often on repeat because they were easy to make and required not so fancy ingredients.
We didn’t have an oven so cakes and pastries were out of question.
Fruit Custard made an appearance very frequently during summers when there was an abundance of fruits.
It was and still is one of my favorite desserts. It’s so easy to make and you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make it- just a good custard powder, milk, sugar and fruits.
That’s pretty much it, everything else is optional.
This Fruit Custard
✓ is a quick summer dessert which you can make in no time
✓ easily customizable with fruits and nuts of your choice
✓ great way to eat all the fruits in season
✓ can be made vegan by using a non-dairy milk like almond milk
A simple fruit custard like this uses ready made store bought custard powder.
My mom always made custard using Brown Polson Custard Powder and I do think it works best.
I have tried several brands from the Indian store but I only like the flavor of Brown Polson Vanilla Custard Powder.
Maybe it has something to do with the taste I grew up eating. Either way, you can use a vanilla flavored custard powder that you like here.
This fruit custard recipe can’t get any easier. You only need to cook the milk with sugar and custard powder and then chill it.
Once chilled, I add in the fruits. I also like to chill my fruits before adding them to the custard.
It is important to chill the custard before you add the fruits. Also once you add the fruits, the custard thins out as fruits release water.
So if the custard looks very thick, don’t worry. It will thin out once you add the fruits.
Once the custard and fruits both are chilled, simply mix them and them chill again for couple of hours before serving.
Custard is more flavorful once you let the fruits sit in the custard for some time.
What Fruits To Add in Fruit Custard
Personally, I love apple, banana and mangoes in my fruit custard.
But you can add whatever you like- grapes, pomegranate, blueberries.
Just stay away from the citrus fruits like oranges, pineapple and kiwi.
Even fruits with lot of moisture content like watermelon won’t work here.
Fruit Custard Variations
A simple custard is just with fruits.
But you can make is more filling and flavorful by adding nuts like almonds, cashews.
You can also add chocolate chips or tutti frutti, coconut flakes.
You can also flavor it with cardamom powder and rose water (I have done that).
Method
1- Add 3 cups milk to a heavy bottom pan on medium high heat.
2- Once it has heated up a little, take out 3 tablespoons milk from the pan into a small bowl.
3- Add in 3 tablespoons custard powder to that milk and mix well. There should be no lumps. Set it aside.
4- Stir the milk in the pan in between and let it heat and come to a gentle boil. Then lower the heat, add sugar and mix until combined.
5- Start adding the custard mix.
6- Add little at a time and mix after each addition. Whisk continuously. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the custard thickens. Remove pan from heat and let it cool down a bit. At this point you can also add rose water and cardamom powder (if using).
Then cover and place in the refrigerator to chill.
7- At the same time, chop all fruits that you are using for the custard and refrigerate.
8- Once chilled, transfer custard to serving bowl and mix in the fruits.
Cover and refrigerate the custard for 1 to 2 hours after mixing in the fruits for the flavors to develop. Then garnish with pomegranate arils and serve fruits custard in bowls!
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Fruit Custard
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk 24 oz
- 4-5 tablespoons sugar or adjust to taste
- 3 tablespoons custard powder I use and recommend Brown Polson Vanilla Custard Powder
- splash of rose water optional
- pinch cardamom powder optional
- 2 cups assorted fruits I used banana, apple, mango
Instructions
- Add 3 (24 oz) cups milk to a heavy bottom pan on medium high heat.
- Once it has heated up a little, take out 3 tablespoons milk from the pan into a small bowl. Add in 3 tablespoons custard powder to that milk and mix well. There should be no lumps. Set it aside.
- Stir the milk in the pan in between and let it heat up and come to a gentle boil. Then lower the heat, add sugar and mix until combined.
- Start adding the custard mix. Add little at a time and mix after each addition. Whisk continuously.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until the custard thickens. Remove pan from heat and let it cool down a bit. At this point you can also add rose water and cardamom powder (if using). Then cover the custard and place in the refrigerator to chill.
- At the same time, chop all fruits that you are using for the custard and refrigerate.
- Once the custard and the fruits are chilled, transfer custard to serving bowl and mix in the fruits.
- Cover and refrigerate the custard for 1 to 2 hours after mixing in the fruits for the flavors to develop. Then garnish with pomegranate arils and serve fruits custard in bowls!
Notes
- If custard is too thick, warm up some milk and add 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until it comes to desired consistency.
- Also remember, custard thins out when you add fruit as fruits release water. So do not make your custard thin to begin with.Â
- If you like really thick custard, chill the custard and the fruit and mix the fruit into the custard just before serving. Even though custard is more flavorful if you mix the two and let it chill for couple of hours for the flavors to develop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you use condensed milk instead of custard powder? If so, does milk still need to be cooked, and condensed milk cooked?
no you can’t substitute custard powder with condensed milk. There will be no flavor if you don’t use custard powder, it will just be sweet milk then.
Whenever I make custard, it gets lumpy n watery after refrigeration. Before keeping it in fridge, it has a nice, thick n creamy consistency.
Can u suggest anything for tht ?
Are you adding fruits and then refrigerating? Fruits are releasing water and hence the consistency changes. Store custard as it is, chop fruits and chill them for 1 hours. and mix before serving, that should help!
I buy a fruit cocktail can from the store and add it to the custard. I agree growing up in India Brown Polson Custard Powder works the best. Thanks.