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To create delicious desserts, pastry chefs utilize Custard powder. But what exactly is Custard and why is it so widely used? Mytour will reveal all in the article below.
What is Custard?
Custard is a vital composite ingredient in baking, known by various names such as lion powder or egg powder. It is created by blending cornstarch, vanilla powder, a touch of buttercream, milk, and evenly whipped egg yolks. This results in a unique and irresistible flavor, mainly used in desserts.
Custard powder appears in the recipes of many different types of cakes. This is because they have a dense and elastic molecular structure, which can be baked, hence commonly used as fillings inside cakes. When baked, the components in custard powder blend together, enhancing the fragrant aroma of eggs and the creamy taste of cream, making it the most preferred ingredient for bakers.
Image: Carly Jayne
What are the uses of Custard?
Custard serves many highly effective purposes that cooking enthusiasts cannot overlook. The first use of custard powder is to eliminate the fishy smell of eggs. Typically, the powder is used in recipes for banana cake, fried sweet potatoes, sponge cake, bread, or egg cake. Thanks to custard, the cake not only reduces the fishy smell but also enhances the enticing flavor of the dish.
Moreover, custard is used as the filling for a wide variety of sweet cakes due to its rich, creamy, and irresistibly fragrant texture. If you prepare sponge cake or cream puffs without custard in the recipe, you will surely fail to create a dish with the desired delicious flavor.
Custard can also be used as the base filling for other fillings, such as chocolate cream filling, matcha cream filling, fruit tart filling, etc. Therefore, you can freely unleash your creativity based on the custard base filling layer to bake your favorite cakes.
What foods use Custard?
Thanks to its special properties, custard powder can be used to create a wide variety of delicious and enticing dishes. Some examples include:
Indulge in the heavenly delight of Custard-filled cream puffs, offering a sensation of pure bliss with every bite. The coolness and sweetness of the melting cream inside create an irresistible allure, while the custard brings richness and sweetness, making it impossible to resist indulging in more.
Capture the essence of Custard-filled pudding, a beloved treat in Western countries. This dessert becomes truly exquisite with the addition of custard, blending creamy richness with caramel sweetness. The soft sponge cake and the distinctive pudding layer create a perfect harmony of flavors, delivering an unparalleled culinary experience.
Experience the decadence of Custard pudding, a dessert adored worldwide. Its combination of velvety custard and sweet caramel creates a truly luxurious treat. The soft sponge cake and the signature pudding layer complement each other perfectly, offering a delightful symphony of flavors.
Savor the divine flavor of Custard pudding, a dessert that delights the senses with its creamy texture and rich sweetness. Each bite is a harmonious blend of soft sponge cake and luscious custard, creating an unforgettable gustatory experience.
Photo: collected by a connoisseur
Portuguese-style Egg Tart
Portuguese cuisine offers a diverse array of mouthwatering delicacies, particularly in desserts. If you're a fan of exquisite European pastries, you must indulge in the Portuguese-style egg tart. The tantalizing aroma of the custard cream filling enclosed in a crispy crust is the key that sets the Portuguese egg tart apart from other desserts. It's a masterpiece combining custard that you simply can't afford to miss!
Photo: Nick Fewings
4. Where to Buy Custard
Custard is a highly common ingredient in cooking, so it can easily be found in specialty baking stores. Some convenience stores and large supermarkets also stock this powder at reasonable prices. Depending on convenience, choose your preferred custard shopping destination.
5. Tips for Using Custard
Custard is essential in baking, nearly playing a decisive role in whether the dessert tastes good or not. Therefore, it's advisable to purchase custard from reputable sources, as there are many low-quality custard powder products flooding the market.
Custard is a relatively difficult ingredient to preserve (lasting only about 2-3 days), so be mindful to purchase in the right quantity and store it properly. Avoid leaving it for too long as the quality of the powder will quickly deteriorate.
Photo: Dienny Portianni
Custard is a crucial ingredient that baking enthusiasts must grasp immediately to produce the finest products. With this article from Mytour Blog, hopefully, you understand what custard is and can apply it right away in your kitchen!
