Vegan Custard

This vegan custard comes together in less than 10 minutes and requires just 6 easy-to-find main ingredients. It’s velvety smooth, rich, creamy, and decadent. Use it as an egg-free replacement in cakes, tarts, pastries, and more!

Why you’ll love it

• Easy: Everything is mixed and prepared in one pan. You don’t need to be an expert baker to put this simple recipe together!
• Allergen-friendly: This custard is free of eggs, dairy, and gluten. It’s the perfect option for just about everyone!
• Few ingredients: Only 5 ingredients are necessary to make this recipe a success. You probably already have most of them on hand.
• Versatile: Serve custard in a variety of hot or cold desserts. It makes a delicious egg and dairy-free substitute in puddings, pies, cakes, ice cream, and tarts.

What is custard?

Custard is traditionally made from milk or cream, sugar, and egg yolks. The mixture is thickened by heating everything slowly over low heat.

The consistency ranges from thin and pourable (crème anglaise) to thick pastry cream used for piping into éclairs. Regardless of the texture, custard is utilized in both savory and sweet recipes like quiches, trifles, crumbles, tarts, donuts, or crème brulée.

What is vegan custard?

In a traditional custard, the thickening process is achieved by the coagulation of egg protein. In comparison, a vegan custard is thickened with only cornstarch.

With the addition of oat milk and vegan butter, the overall taste and texture emulate the richness and creaminess of an egg-based custard. But, I’ll let you be the judge!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Oat milk: I suggest using an oat milk barista blend since it has a thicker consistency. If you can’t find it, opt for regular oat milk (full fat), soy milk, or pea milk.

Sugar: Use regular granulated sugar or cane sugar for a delicate sweetness. Just make sure it’s organic or certified vegan-friendly.

Cornstarch: To thicken vegan custard, cornstarch is a must! Arrowroot starch or potato starch will also work.

Vanilla: Adds a sweet and creamy element. I always recommend opting for pure vanilla extract whenever possible. A little goes a long way!

Vegan butter: Use your favorite brand like Miyoko’s, Melt Organic, or Forager Project.

Instructions

• Step 1: Place all of the ingredients (except the butter) into a medium-sized saucepan. Whisk everything together until there are no more lumps of cornstarch left.

• Step 2: Heat the saucepan over medium while continuously whisking until it starts to thicken. This process can take anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes, so be patient!

• Step 3: Once it starts to thicken, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the butter until it completely dissolves into the vegan custard.
• Note: Use a wooden or silicone spatula to check if your custard is ready. Coat the spatula with custard and run your finger through it. If it stays clean, it is ready.

How to use vegan custard

After your vegan custard is ready, use it in similar recipes as regular custard. These are some of my favorite ideas:

• Make a vegan crème brulée.
• Make custard-filled donuts or dumplings.
• Fill vegan tarts or tartlets with custard.
• Use it in a trifle layered with cream, jelly, and sponge cake.
• Make vegan ice cream with a custard base.
• Bake custard cake with vegan custard instead.
• Serve a drizzle on top of crumbles and crisps.

Storage

For any leftover vegan custard, follow these quick and easy storage instructions to keep it fresh:

• Fridge: You can store vegan custard in the fridge for 2-3 days as long as it’s in an airtight container or mason jar.
• Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing vegan vanilla custard since the texture changes once it’s thawed. The only exception to freezing is if you’ll be making ice cream with it.

Variations

• Chocolate: To make a chocolate custard, add squares of dark chocolate or cocoa powder while the mixture heats.
• Chai: Try making a chai-infused custard with the spices from my Chai Concentrate.
• Coffee: Add a teaspoon or two of instant coffee or espresso powder for an intense coffee flavor.
• Citrus: Add your favorite citrus fruit like lemon, orange, or lime. 
• Thickener: Depending on your recipe needs, you can use alternative thickening agents like xantham gum or agar powder.

Top tips

• Cook it low and slow: Cook vegan custard over low-medium heat, and don’t let the custard come to a boil.
• Don’t stop stirring: Continuously stir the mixture slowly and gently, making sure everything is fully mixed in the pan.
• Add butter at the end: Add the butter at the end so the flavor is preserved in the final product.
• Cool it completely: Let the custard cool completely before using or refrigerating it. This will allow it time to properly thicken.

FAQ

Similar Recipes

If you enjoyed this vegan custard recipe, be sure to check out some more of my favorite desserts like these:

• Vegan Peach Ice Cream: Simple coconut milk-based ice cream with juicy peaches.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Easy small-batch cookies made egg and dairy-free.
• Carrot Pie: A variation of your favorite pumpkin pie made with carrots.
• Chai Hot Chocolate: A decadent and festive chocolate drink with a kick.