Are you a vegan looking to make something delicious and creamy? Then why not try making your own vegan custard? Making your own custard is surprisingly easy with the right ingredients. Follow our guide to make vegan custard, and satisfy any sweet tooth with this homemade delight. We’ll walk you through gathering the ingredients, preparing the base, adding flavouring and cooling it down so you can enjoy this homemade delight. So what are you waiting for – let’s get started on learning how to make vegan custard today.
Table of Contents:
- Gather the Ingredients
- Prepare the Custard Base
- Add Flavouring
- Cool and Serve
- FAQs in Relation to How to Make Vegan Custard
- Conclusion
Gather the Ingredients
Gathering the ingredients for a vegan custard is an easy task. To make a vegan custard, you’ll need coconut milk, vegan butter, and vanilla extract – or try substituting almond or soy milk for the coconut. To make a classic custard, you can also use almond milk or soy milk in place of coconut milk. For added flavour, consider adding cocoa powder or lemon peel to your recipe card.
For a more luxurious take on custard, try concocting a vegan dark chocolate version with full-fat coconut milk and maple syrup. For a richer, dairy-free custard, try using oat milk or any other plant-based milks fortified with calcium and vitamin D2, such as rice or hemp milks.
If you want to make something simpler but still tasty enough to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings, then why not give lemon custard pie or coffee custard a go? Both require just basic ingredients, and simply pour them into prebaked crusts before baking them in the oven until golden brown perfection.

No matter which type of vegan custard you choose to make, it requires constant stirring while cooking over low heat so that it doesn’t burn at the bottom. This will help create its signature creamy texture when done correctly. If corn starch isn’t available, potato starch works just as well and arrowroot powder makes an excellent substitute if needed. Finally, top off your creation with some homemade vegan apple crumble for extra crunchiness. Enjoy.
Once the ingredients are gathered, it’s time to start creating the custard base. To continue, you’ll require additional resources and methods.
Prepare the Custard Base
For a dairy-free alternative to classic custard, the vegan custard is an easy and delicious option made with plant-based ingredients. For a delectable vegan custard, combine plant-based milk such as almond or soy milk with vegan butter and vanilla extract; for added decadence, consider adding chocolate or coconut cream. For an extra special treat, try adding some chocolate or coconut cream to the mix.
To start off your vegan custard recipe, heat the plant-milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it just starts to bubble. Add the vegan butter and stir until melted before removing it from the heat. Now add in your vanilla extract for flavour and stir well.
Next up is thickening the mixture by adding corn starch or potato starch (or arrowroot powder if you prefer). Mix two tablespoons of cornstarch with four tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then slowly pour into the heated liquid while stirring to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until it reaches a creamy texture, then remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly before pouring into individual ramekins or pie dishes for baking later on.
If you want something even more indulgent than plain old vanilla custard then why not try adding some cocoa powder? Simply replace one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cocoa powder when making your base mixture – don’t forget to adjust any other sweetener accordingly, too. You could also experiment with different flavours like lemon peel and juice for a zesty twist on classic custard recipes; alternatively, try using coffee instead of tea leaves for an espresso inspired version that would be perfect served alongside crème anglaise filled doughnuts.
Once you have perfected your basic recipe card, why not get creative with different toppings? Fresh fruit like apples work great when baked inside tarts topped with a maple syrup glaze, whilst dark chocolate shavings are always popular when added to desserts such as apple crumble or coconut cream cake. Whatever combination takes your fancy, simply bake at 180°C/350°F for around 30 minutes (or follow instructions on the pastry case), ensuring that all ingredients used are 100% plant-based before serving warm with fresh fruits or ice cream. Enjoy.
To complete the custard base, whisk together your ingredients until they are smooth and creamy. Once the custard base is ready, we can move on to infusing it with flavour by incorporating our desired ingredients.
Add Flavouring
Customizing vegan custard with a variety of flavourings can make it unique and delicious. You can personalize your vegan custard by adding flavourings such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg or even chocolate. Gather your ingredients – plant milk, coconut milk, vegan butter, corn or potato starch and any other desired flavourings – to get started.
For classic custard with a hint of sweetness, try adding some vanilla extract. You can also add lemon peel if you’d like an extra citrusy kick. For a more indulgent custard, why not try making a chocolate version with cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips? Simply mix cocoa powder into the base before cooking it, and top it with dark chocolate chips for an indulgent treat.
Coffee lovers will enjoy trying out coffee custard – just steep some freshly ground beans in hot water before adding them to the mix, along with some maple syrup for added sweetness. For those who prefer fruity desserts, there’s always apple crumble; use applesauce instead of dairy cream and top with oats for a delicious vegan version that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
If you’re feeling adventurous, then why not experiment by creating your own unique flavours? Mix together contrasting blends of non-dairy milks such as oat or soy with smooth coconut cream and plain components like maple syrup or vanilla extract until you discover something that appeals to your palate. With these ideas, you can craft an infinite variety of vegan custards – so go ahead and explore.
Add flavouring to your vegan custard for a delicious, creamy treat. Now that you’ve added the flavourings, it’s time to cool and serve your creation.
Cool and Serve
Once cooked, it’s time to chill the custard before enjoying it. Prior to being enjoyed, the custard should be refrigerated for a minimum of 60 minutes in order to acquire an ideal consistency and avoid becoming overly liquid. This will help give it a nice texture and prevent it from being too runny.

For a faster cooling of your vegan custard, place it in an ice-water bath and stir intermittently until the desired temperature is achieved. Stir occasionally until the desired temperature is reached before serving.
When ready to serve, scoop out portions of vegan custard into individual bowls or dishes. Top with fresh fruit slices or berries if desired – this adds flavour as well as visual appeal. If you like crunchy toppings on your dessert, sprinkle some crushed nuts over each portion just before serving.
For those who prefer their desserts cold but not icy cold, simply leave the vegan custard at room temperature for 15 minutes prior to eating – no need to heat up. For best results, though, we recommend consuming within 24 hours of making so that all its flavours are still intact when served.
FAQs in Relation to How to Make Vegan Custard
What is a vegan custard made of?
Vegan custard is a creamy, dairy-free dessert made with plant-based ingredients. A combination of non-dairy milk, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla extract form the base for vegan custard, which may be enriched with vegan butter or margarine, coconut cream and/or arrowroot powder before baking. For additional richness and texture, vegan custard may also contain vegan butter or margarine, full fat coconut cream and/or arrowroot powder. All these ingredients are blended together until thickened before being poured into individual ramekins to be baked in the oven until set. Enjoy.
What can I use instead of egg for custard?
For a dairy-free custard, there are various eggless options available. For a velvety consistency, plant-based milks such as almond, oat or coconut can be employed in lieu of cow’s milk. To thicken it further, cornstarch or arrowroot powder may be added. For a touch of sweetness and flavour, adding maple syrup or agave nectar is suggested. Finally, vanilla extract is recommended for an authentic taste, but other flavours, such as cardamom or nutmeg could also work well, depending on preference.
What is the secret to making custard?
The key to concocting custard is combining egg yolks, sugar and milk in a mix. The eggs are whisked together with the sugar until they form a thick paste before adding in heated milk. Continuously stirring the mixture over low heat will help achieve the desired consistency of your custard. It’s also essential not to let it boil, or else you risk curdling the mixture and ruining your custard. With patience and practice, anyone can make delicious homemade custard that will satisfy even the pickiest palate.
Conclusion
Making vegan custard is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a classic dessert without using animal products. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this vegan version of the classic custard in no time. Once the base has been prepared, add your favourite flavourings for a unique twist on traditional custard that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s served as part of an indulgent dinner or simply enjoyed with some fresh fruit – making vegan custard is sure to be hit.