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Home » Dairy Free Recipes » Homemade Vegan Custard

Homemade Vegan Custard

Puddings and Desserts, Recipes

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Vegan and Gluten Free Instant Custard

This page contain affiliate links. Please refer to my Disclosures Page for more details.

STOP! Before you hit ‘Jump to Recipe’ check ‘Skip to the Good Bit‘ below. I may answer a query you have about this recipe.

It was my husband that first got me thinking about making my own Homemade Vegan Custard. He asked how easy I thought it would be to create my own instant custard powder? Hence, this recipe includes an option to make your own vegan custard powder to keep for later. Two recipes for the price of one (erm, for free!)

If you’ve clicked thinking ‘WOW, what is that amazing looking pudding under the custard’, then you’re in luck. The recipe can be found here Gluten Free Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding.

Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding with Vegan Custard
An example of a delicious vegan chocolate self saucing pudding that you could pour your vegan custard over

What instant custard powders are vegan?

The two main custard powders on the market here in the UK are Birds® Original Custard Powder and Just Whole Foods Vanilla Custard Powder.

Birds® does have a may contain warning on the label for MILK. This is because it is made in the same factory as milk containing products. So this is not suitable for anyone with a dairy allergy. But if you are vegan with no medical dietary needs this is fine.

Just Whole Foods is safe for both vegans and people with milk allergies as it does not declare any may contains.

If you want to find out more, I write about here in my Guide to Quick and Easy Dairy Free Custard.

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How easy is it to make your own vegan custard?

Making your own vegan custard from scratch is really easy. As with many of my recipes I’m almost embarrassed to post the method but I have to remind myself, you may not know what I know!

To make enough homemade vegan custard for two people I use 1 table spoon of cornflour (corn starch) 2 tablespoons of caster sugar, vanilla paste to flavour and 200-250ml dairy free milk.

To make the custard you simply combine the sugar, flour and vanilla in a small saucepan then add a dash of ‘milk’ to make a paste. Next you add enough milk to make a custard liquid whisking the whole time to prevent lumps.

Gently heat the raw custard until it thickens to your desired consistency, adding a little more ‘milk’ if required.

How to make your own vegan custard from scratch by Glutarama

How to make vegan custard powder?

Making your own vegan custard powder is super simple but there is a trick if you want it ready flavoured with vanilla.

To make the custard powder base you need cornflour and sugar.

Next you need to think about the flavouring. Vanilla flavouring comes in several different forms; vanilla flavour, vanilla extract, vanilla paste, vanilla sugar and finally vanilla pods. I write more about different types of vanilla below to give you an idea of the differences.

I use a combination of Vanilla Sugar and Vanilla paste in my vegan custard recipe.

Making a batch load of vegan custard powder

To make a jar* of quick and easy vegan custard powder you need three ingredients, four if you want to add colour.

10 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)

5-10 tablespoons caster sugar (if you only add the 5tbsp you can more later to taste)

1 vanilla pod split in half and seeds removed

method:

Add the sugar and cornflour to the jar, pop the lid on and shake it up.

Add the vanilla seeds – try to add them in tiny parts not one big clump.

Shake the jar (with lid on!) again and that’s it, you now have quick and easy vegan custard powder.

TOP TIP: this will make a creamy coloured custard much like Tesco Finest Vanilla Custard, if you want a warm yellow colour you can add a tiny drop of food colouring or turmeric powder or (preferably) turmeric oil extract.

Alternatively, add all the ingredients to a blender and whisk up to combine. It’s advised to do this if using vanilla bean paste otherwise you can end up with clumps of vanilla and you want the flavour to be spread across the custard powder.

Finally decant the powder into your container and seal ready for when you need it. To make custard for one person allow 2 tablespoons of instant powder to 125-150ml ‘milk’ and cook as directed in recipe below.

What type of vanilla to use

Vanilla flavouring – is the cheapest version and is made artificially to taste like vanilla without actually being vanilla. Great for simple cupcakes.

Vanilla extract – is more expensive as it’s a filtered extract taken from processed and pressed vanilla pods. Perfect for larger cakes and bakes

Vanilla paste – is more expensive than extract, it’s a concentrated glue consistency paste dark brown in colour and full of delicious vanilla seeds. Great for vanilla desserts and ice creams.

Vanilla pods – the queen of vanilla products and the most expensive at around £6 for two pods. However, used wisely these pods can be used to flavour other ingredients to use at a later date. Ideal for vanilla desserts and ice creams where cost is no issue.

Vanilla sugar – add some sugar to a 500ml/1l Kilner jar and pop in your vanilla pod (you can do this if you’ve removed the seeds for another recipe with the remaining pod shell). You end up with a deep vanilla flavoured sugar. Amazing for all cakes, bakes, over pancakes, in coffee – the list is endless.

Can’t be bothered with the faff of making your own instant custard powder? No problem, I have a recipe how for Quick and Easy Dairy Free Custard using a shop bought custard powder. It’s also vegan, assuming you use the right milk but I do talk about may contains in the post.

Quick and Easy Dairy Free Custard
A quick guide to making dairy free vanilla custard using safe instant custard powders. There is also guidance on how to make your very own instant custard powder for the store cupboard.
Check out this recipe
Dairy Free and Vegan Custard - Glutarama
How to make your own vegan custard from scratch by Glutarama

Great Puddings to go with Custard

Here are a few gluten free pudding idea below, but how about 50, that’s right, here my collection of 50 Delicious Homemade Gluten Free Puddings and Desserts for you to browse and take inspiration from.

Mincemeat and Apple Eve's Pudding served up in a retro bowl with a jug of custard in the background
Mincemeat Eves Pudding (GF, DF, Ve)
Easy to make Gluten Free and Dairy free Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler (GF, DF, Ve)
Gluten Free Rhubarb Crumble Recipe with dairy free and vegan custard
Rhubarb Crumble (GF, DF, Ve)

Homemade Vegan Custard Recipe

If you make it and like the recipe I would be eternally grateful if you popped back and commented leaving a star rating as this will tell search engines that this recipe is worth checking out and others will get to find it in searches.

Gluten Free Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding by Glutarama

Homemade Vegan Custard Recipe

Glutarama
A quick guide to making dairy free, egg free vanilla custard using just three ingredients to make a vegan custard powder. Simply add your favourite dairy free alternative milk and you're ready to enjoy with a delicious gluten free and vegan pudding (Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding used as serving suggestion) This recipe makes enough custard for two people.
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Dairy Free, Vegan
Servings 2 servings
Calories 125 kcal

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • wooden spoon
  • set of measuring spoons
  • whisk
  • 500 ml glass jug for microwave method

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch level for runny, heaped for thick custard
  • 250 ml dairy free milk I used soya milk
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar or less if you wish
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste you can use vanilla extract to save pennies

Instructions
 

For the hob method

  • In a medium saucepan, add the tablespoon(s) of cornflour/corn starch, the tablespoon(s) of sugar, vanilla paste or extract and stir with a wooden spoon or whisk to combine.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the milk alternative you plan to use and mix to make a thick paste.
  • Gradually add the rest of the 'milk' stirring/whisking continuously until you've add all the milk.
  • Now, turn on the heat and begin to stir. As the custard warms the colour will change to an off white creamy colour and the wet liquid will become more silky.
  • NOTE: if you desire a neon yellow custard then add a drop of colouring but I don't think it's necessary.
  • Remove from the heat once the required thickness is achieved.

For the microwave method

  • Repeat steps 1-3 but in a medium sized jug
  • Pop the custard in the microwave and heat on max power for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Repeat this again and possibly a third time until the custard has thickened to the desired consistency.

Notes

Making a batch load of vegan custard powder

To make a batch of instant vegan custard powder I normally make enough for approximately three occasions so that’s 6 individual portions. I keep my powder in an airtight container in a cool cupboard.
  • 3 heaped tbsp cornflour
  • 6 heaped tbsp sugar (ideally vanilla sugar)
  • 3 tsp vanilla bean paste (or seeds from a vanilla pod if you can afford it)
Add all the ingredients to a blender and whisk up to combine. It’s advised to do this is using vanilla bean paste otherwise you can end up with clumps of vanilla and you want the flavour to be spread across the custard powder.
Finally decant the powder into your Tupperware and seal ready for when you need it. To make custard for one person allow 2 tablespoons of instant powder to 125-150ml ‘milk’ and cook as directed in recipe below.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Vegan Custard Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
125
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.3
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Sodium
 
63
mg
3
%
Potassium
 
185
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
17
g
19
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
490
IU
10
%
Vitamin C
 
9
mg
11
%
Calcium
 
179
mg
18
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Custard, Dairy Free, Easy, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Quick, Simple, Vanilla, Vegan
Have you tried this recipe?Let me know how it was & I will be super grateful. Take a picture & tag me @glutarama on your social media posts – I love seeing your photos more than you will ever know x
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*disclaimer: I use affiliate codes on my website, the vast majority are to Amazon. If you click on any of the links or images in the post and make a purchase my family will benefit from a small % of that purchase at no extra cost to you.

For full transparency, in 2020 I made my first £25, and in 2022 I reached my next £25 (Amazon don’t transfer the money until you reach £25). Recently I got paid a whopping £27.10 for 2023.

So to date I have made £78.58 since I first started the scheme in 2017. It won’t pay the bills, that’s for sure but it does help to pay for ingredients or little treats to cheer me up!

20 Autumn Gluten Free Desserts by Glutarama
50 Homemade Gluten Free Puddings and Desserts

11/07/2022 · Leave a Comment

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Hi I'm Rebecca, slightly bonkers but can you blame me! Mum to two teens with additional needs and a great combination of dietary requirements. With over 15 years experience of cooking gluten free from scratch. Please note: whilst we are not a vegan family, many of my bakes are vegan or have a vegan alternative as I cannot tolerate dairy or eggs. Welcome to my site you lovely person, now learn how to make anything gluten free with me!

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