Creamy Vanilla Happiness sounds like a delicious, indulgent dessert! Here’s a recipe for a Creamy Vanilla Custard that’s rich, smooth, and filled with the sweet essence of vanilla. It’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and bringing a little happiness to your day.
Creamy Vanilla Happiness (Vanilla Custard)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or the seeds from one vanilla bean)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional garnish: Whipped cream or fresh berries
Instructions:
1. Heat the Milk and Cream:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and heavy cream. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling (just before it begins to simmer). Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
2. Mix the Egg Yolks:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and pale.
3. Temper the Egg Yolks:
- Once the milk and cream mixture is hot, slowly pour a little bit of the hot liquid into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly. This process, called tempering, helps avoid curdling the eggs.
- Gradually whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture until everything is combined.
4. Cook the Custard:
- Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk. Cook until the custard thickens and coats the back of the spoon. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Do not let the mixture come to a full boil, as this could cause the eggs to scramble.
5. Add Vanilla Flavor:
- Once the custard has thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract (or the seeds from a vanilla bean) for that irresistible vanilla flavor.
6. Cool and Serve:
- Pour the custard into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming), and let it cool to room temperature.
- Refrigerate the custard for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled.
7. Garnish and Enjoy:
- Serve the creamy vanilla custard chilled. You can garnish it with whipped cream, fresh berries, or even some crushed cookies or caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips:
- For Extra Creaminess: If you prefer a richer custard, you can substitute part of the milk with more cream.
- Vanilla Bean: Using the seeds from a vanilla bean gives the custard an even more intense vanilla flavor. If you’re using a bean, split it open and scrape out the seeds, adding them to the milk mixture.
- Make it a Dessert Parfait: Layer this custard with fruits or granola in jars for a fun and beautiful presentation.
This Creamy Vanilla Happiness is the epitome of comfort food – smooth, silky, and full of sweet vanilla goodness. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face!