Delicious Cherry Custard (Printable Version)
A luscious creamy custard filled with juicy cherries, ideal for light desserts or sweet afternoon treats.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
→ Custard Base
02 - 1 ½ cups whole milk
03 - ½ cup heavy cream
04 - 4 large eggs
05 - ½ cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
07 - ¼ tsp almond extract
08 - Pinch of salt
→ For Baking
09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing
10 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar, for dusting
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9-inch round baking dish or gratin dish, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar to coat the bottom and sides evenly.
02 - Spread the pitted cherries evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened.
04 - Add the milk, cream, vanilla extract, almond extract if using, and pinch of salt to the egg mixture. Whisk until fully incorporated and smooth.
05 - Carefully pour the custard mixture evenly over the cherries in the baking dish.
06 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly wobbly in the center and lightly golden on top.
07 - Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The custard sets into this impossibly silky texture that feels like eating a cloud
- Fresh cherries burst in every bite, balancing all that rich creaminess
02 -
- The custard continues cooking after you pull it from the oven, so removing it while slightly wobbly is actually correct
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the eggs from cooking when they hit the warm dairy, which would ruin the texture
03 -
- Use a light colored baking dish so you can see when the edges turn golden brown
- Place your baking dish on a sheet pan to catch any potential bubbles over