Some desserts are impressive with fancy decorations and long ingredient lists. Some win people over by their simplicity. This 3-Ingredient Baked Condensed Milk Custard falls in the latter category. It takes a few simple ingredients and turns them into a silky, luscious treat that is cozy, sophisticated and classic.
When home cooks were in need of a sweet treat but didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, they turned to custards, generation after generation. A good custard is rich in flavor, silky in texture, and sweet enough, but not overly sweet. This makes things wonderfully simple. You can make a three-ingredient dessert that tastes like it came from someone’s grandma’s cookbook.
This baked condensed milk custard is a winner every time, whether you need an easy dessert for a family dinner, a sweet treat to offer guests or just a simple way to satisfy a craving.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
Desserts often call for several mixing bowls, specialty ingredients, and meticulous preparation. This custard takes a much easier route.
The ingredient list is still short, the prep time is just a few minutes and the oven does the rest of the work. Simple, but the finished dessert is rich and creamy and has a surprisingly luxurious feel to it.
People also love this recipe for another reason: it’s versatile. Serve warm or cold, plain or with fresh fruit. It makes a good informal family dessert or sweet finish to a special meal.
Most of all, most people already have the ingredients on hand.
Three Parts
One reason this recipe is so beloved is how easy it is to make.
What you need:
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
That’s it.
These three ingredients work so well together. The sweet richness of the condensed milk, the structure of the eggs and the silky texture of the whole milk make the perfect custard base for the dessert.
Taste is rich but not heavy, sweet but not cloying.
3 Ingredient Baked Condensed Milk Custard – How to Make
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Grease a baking dish or a few individual ramekins with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until smooth.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and whisk until it is all well combined.
- Add the whole milk, and whisk again until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Scoop the custard mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Put the baking dish in a larger roasting pan.
- Pour hot water carefully into the roasting pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the custard dish.
- The custard is cooked in a water bath, so it gets that creamy texture it’s known for.
- Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 to 55 minutes.
- When you shake the dish gently, the center should look set but still a little soft.
- Take the custard out of the oven and let cool.
- Serve warm or chill in refrigerator for chilled dessert.
The Magic of Basic Ingredients
- Custard is a favourite dessert for centuries because it is made with simple ingredients that are all good together.
- The eggs add structure and richness. The milk adds smoothness and balance. The sweetened condensed milk gives it the sweetness and makes it creamy.
- Heat brings these ingredients together to create something far more than the sum of their parts.
- That’s one reason simple desserts often become family favorites. It’s not based on some complicated techniques. They depend on good ingredients and careful preparation.
Great for any occasion
- This custard is easy to adapt to different occasions.
- Serve it after a weeknight family dinner when you want something sweet but easy!
- It’s for holiday gatherings when you need a dessert that will appeal to a variety of tastes.
- Serve at brunches, potlucks or afternoon get-togethers.
- Its flavor is classic and approachable, so it is likely to appeal to all ages.
- It also looks much more elegant than the preparation suggests and thus far more sophisticated.
Yummy Serving Suggestions
- The custard is delicious on its own, but it’s easy to dress up with simple toppings.
- Fresh berries add color and brightness to the dish.
- The creamy texture works wonderfully with sliced bananas.
- A touch of cinnamon adds warmth and fragrance.
- Nutmeg adds a classic custard flavor that everyone loves.
- A little whipped cream makes the dessert seem that much more special.
- These additions make it possible to customize each serving and keep the dessert simple.
Tips to Make the Best Custard
- Just be sure to whisk well to combine into a smooth batter before baking.
- Do not overbake. As it cools, custard continues to set, so removing it from the oven when the center still appears slightly soft will keep it creamy.
- Let the custard cool down gently. This helps to maintain its smooth consistency.
- For best flavor, if you like it cold, chill the custard a few hours before serving.
- These simple steps can make a difference in the final outcome.
A Dessert to Make Again and Again
- The best recipes are often simple, reliable, and delicious all in one. This 3-Ingredient Baked Condensed Milk Custard does it all.
- It takes just three ingredients to make a rich, creamy dessert that feels comforting and classic. It’s silky, lightly sweet, and so easy to make that it’s a recipe you’ll find yourself turning to again and again.
- It’s the kind of simple pleasure that never goes out of style, whether you’re introducing someone to homemade custard for the first time or revisiting a dessert that calls to mind childhood. Sometimes the best desserts are made with the simplest of ingredients and this custard is a perfect example.
