Custard is a common dessert prepared using milk or cream cooked with a thickening agent, such as egg yolk, flavoring, or sugar. You can make different custard types with varying consistencies and textures by blending different ingredients or changing the preparation method (1).
You could use over-the-counter custard powders to prepare the dish. However, they are usually high in sodium and refined sugar and contain synthetic flavors and preservatives. Thus, try preparing the mix from scratch to make healthy custard for babies. But before you start making the recipe, remember that babies should consume custard in moderation as a part of a well-balanced diet.
Read on as we share some interesting and yummy custard recipes that you can make without using commercial custard powders.
When Can Babies Start Consuming Custard?
Although you should avoid feeding cow milk as the main drink to babies under 12 months, you could give small amounts of pasteurized milk as a part of solid foods, such as custard, from six months of age (2) (3).
Milk and egg in custard can offer your baby several nutrients, such as calcium, protein, and vitamin D. Yet, overconsumption can cause an excess calorie intake and reduce their intake of breast milk or formula milk and other solid foods. Thus, it is best to offer infants and toddlers small portions of custard occasionally.
Easy Custard Recipes For Babies And Toddlers
Here are some easy-to-prepare and interesting custard recipes that you can try to add variety to your baby or toddler’s diet and provide them with essential nutrients.
1. Eggless Vanilla Custard (6 months+)
You will need:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup rice flour
- 4tbsp brown sugar
- 2tbsp banana puree
- 2tbsp mango puree
- 1tsp vanilla bean paste
How to make:
- Heat milk in a saucepan over low heat and add rice flour and brown sugar. Mix well to prevent lumps from forming.
- Add vanilla bean paste and mix well. Simmer on a low to medium flame while constantly stirring until the custard begins to thicken.
- If a thick layer of the custard coats the back of the spoon, it is done.
- Turn off the flame, cover the pan, and set it aside to cool. Refrigerate the custard for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Next, transfer some custard into a bowl, add banana and mango puree, and feed the baby.
- For older babies, you can add nuts, seeds, and whole fruit pieces to the custard to enhance the nutritional value.
2. Banana Custard (6 months+)
You will need:
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 ripe banana or banana puree
- 1tsp dry fruit powder
- A drop of vanilla paste or vanilla extract
How to make:
- Whisk the egg yolks and milk in a mixing bowl using a fork.
- Put a heavy-bottom pan over low heat and pour whisked egg yolks into it while continuously stirring to prevent lumps.
- Cook the mixture for about ten minutes until the custard reaches the desired consistency. Turn off the flame.
- Add mashed banana, dry fruit powder, and vanilla into the mixture. Mix well to prevent lumps from forming.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour and serve cold.
- For older babies and toddlers, add finely chopped nuts, seeds, and dry fruits to enhance the nutritional value.
- You can also use different fruit purees to make the recipe.
3. Oats Custard (8 months+)
You will need:
- 2tbsp rolled oats
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 1tbsp jaggery powder
- 1tsp dry fruit powder (coarsely ground)
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
How to make:
- Mix jaggery powder, egg yolk, and milk in a mixing bowl using a fork. Ensure no lumps are present in the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a pan and cook over medium heat for two to three minutes. Stir continuously to ensure the mixture does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- As the mixture begins to thicken, add oats and dry fruit powder. Mix well and cook the mixture for an additional five minutes.
- Turn off the flame, and transfer the custard into custard bowls. Refrigerate for at least two hours.
- Garnish with cinnamon powder and serve.
4. Coconut And Apple Custard (10 months+)
You will need:
- 2 cups milk
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ apple (peeled and mashed)
- 2tbsp dates puree
- 2tbsp desiccated coconut
- 1tbsp dry fruit powder
- 1tbsp cornflour
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
How to make:
- Cook the mixture for five minutes and stir well until the milk begins to boil. Remove the pan.
- Whisk egg yolks and cornflour in a mixing bowl using a fork.
- Pour the egg yolk and cornflour mixture into the saucepan while whisking constantly. Ensure no lumps form.
- Cook the mixture over low heat for about eight minutes or until the custard thickens to the desired consistency.
- Turn off the flame and transfer the custard into serving bowls.
- Add mashed apple, garnish with cinnamon powder, and serve immediately.
5. Mango And Passionfruit Custard (10 months+)
You will need:
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup thickened cream
- ½ cup mango and passion fruit pieces (finely chopped)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1tbsp dry fruit powder
- 1tsp cornflour
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
How to make:
- Put a saucepan over low heat, add milk, cream, and vanilla bean paste into it, and bring the milk mixture to boil.
- Whisk egg yolks and cornflour in a mixing bowl using a fork. Ensure no lumps are formed.
- Slowly add the egg yolk and cornflour mixture to the milk mixture while stirring vigorously.
- Cook on low heat until the custard thickens, and stir continuously to ensure the custard does not stick to the pan.
- Once done, turn off the heat and transfer the custard into a bowl.
- Add dry fruit powder and mango and passion fruit pieces. Feed immediately.
6. Baked Custard (12 months+)
You will need:
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup sweet potato
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 egg
- 1tbsp almonds, cashew, and walnuts (roasted and chopped)
- Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
- Olive oil for greasing
How to make:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176.7°C) and grease two ramekins with olive oil.
- Whisk all the ingredients in a mixing bowl using a fork or whisker.
- Pour the mixture into the ramekins and bake for 15 to 25 minutes until the custard’s top turns light brown.
- Once done, serve the custard warm. You can add freshly chopped seasonal fruits to enhance the nutritional value of the custard.
7. Eggless Papaya And Cinnamon Custard (12 months+)
You will need:
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup papaya puree
- 1tbsp potato starch
- 1tsp toasted almonds (chopped)
- 2-3 slices of strawberry for garnishing
- A pinch of cinnamon
How to make:
- In a small bowl, mix potato starch and a tablespoon of milk.
- Heat the remaining milk in a saucepan over low heat.
- Once the milk simmers, slowly add the starch mixture into the milk while constantly stirring. Keep stirring until the custard thickens. Turn off the flame
- Add papaya puree and cinnamon into the mixture and stir well to ensure no lumps are present.
- Transfer the custard into a serving bowl, garnish with strawberry slices, and feed.
8. Fruit Custard (12 months+)
You will need:
- 1 cup mixed fruits (finely chopped)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 2tbsp roasted almonds and cashews (finely chopped)
- 1tsp chia seeds
- 1tsp potato starch
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
How to make:
- Whisk egg yolks and potato starch in a mixing bowl using a fork. Set it aside.
- Put a saucepan over low heat and pour milk and vanilla paste into it. Bring the milk to a boil.
- Slowly add the egg mixture to the milk while stirring constantly.
- Cook the mixture on low heat while continuously stirring until the custard thickens and reaches the desired consistency. Ensure no lumps are present.
- Turn off the flame and transfer the custard into a bowl.
- Add chopped fruits, nuts, and chia seeds to the custard and refrigerate for four to five hours before feeding.
Note: Custard contains eggs, whole milk, nuts, and other ingredients that may trigger allergic reactions. Therefore, before feeding custard, ensure the ingredients’ safety for your baby.
Custard, when served in moderation, can be a part of your baby or toddler’s healthy diet. Make traditional custard recipes nutritious by adding several healthy ingredients, such as fresh seasonal fruits, seeds, and nuts. Serve small portions and keep the intake occasional to let your baby enjoy this delicacy without missing other essential foods.
References:
- Custard; ACS Distance Education
- Infant Nutrition and Feeding; USDA
- Infant Feeding Guidelines Information for Health Workers; National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government