From sponge puddings to crumbles, cakes, trifles and so much more, a drizzling of this tasty yet easy to make vanilla custard sauce brings any of these desserts over the top! Such a versatile sauce that you’d use over and over again!
My hubby is English and that means he loves desserts! He told me that growing up, they would always have dessert at the end of dinner. It didn’t have to be anything too elaborate yet whenever we visited his parents his mom always served us the most delightful sweet treats – trifles galore, eton mess, victoria sponge, steamed puddings, chocolate marquise, just to name a few!
Wow! They all sound delectable right? They truly were! And, one thing that always accompanied such desserts would either be a tub of fresh cream or custard sauce! Desserts won’t be complete without them!
Yeah, to this day my hubby still adds cream or custard to cheesecakes or anything that, in his opinion, needs elevating! Who am I to judge? He loves his cream sauces!
So in his honor, I am writing this post! I must confess I have been converted to adding custard sauce or cream to certain desserts, yup, including cheesecake sometimes!
There’s just something very pleasurable in eating something sweet and covered in sauce like the case of the scrumptious cake in the above photo (the first one). My daughter made this fabulously sweet-tangy Lemon and Raspberry Ricotta cake, which on its own, was perfectly fine.
But, when custard sauce was drizzled on top (a huge smothering, I prefer!), wow, it was simply divine! That’s when I understood why hubby loved adding sauces and creams to his desserts!
Is it hard to make this sauce? Not really! And that’s the beauty of it, it only has a few ingredients and you’d be done making it about 15 minutes or so in total.
It doesn’t require much effort either. Just a bit of mixing and stirring and a little straining at the end so you achieve a silky smooth sauce that’s oh so tasty!
Next time you have a cake or any dessert that needs a little bit of a lift, then make this yummy creme anglaise (if you prefer to call it by its upscale french name!) and smother it with this! Seriously, you’ll enjoy it more!
Here’s just one of the recipes I often make with the sauce – Apple Cake with Vanilla Custard Sauce. Enjoy!
How to make Yummy Vanilla Custard Sauce (Creme Anglaise)
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a saucepan and heat up to medium just until bubbles begin to appear along the edges of the pan. As the milk heats up, in a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until thickened and has a lemony color.
- Slowly pour in the hot milk into the egg mixture while stirring. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook between low to medium heat (temperature should just be between low to medium and not higher or egg would curdle and cook), stirring constantly, just until the egg mixture is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Please see photo. That's what it looks like when the custard coats the back of the spoon - it should leave a mark when you run a finger across the back of the spoon. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Strain the sauce in a sieve and then add the vanilla to the sauce. Serve the custard sauce with your favorite dessert either cold or warmed up.
Last updated on September 21st, 2020 at 09:42 pm
I made this to go over a buttermilk bundt cake and it was divine! I even had leftovers to eat over my fresh berries the next night.
Author
Isn’t it amazing that you can use this sauce for so many treats! Glad you liked it and thank you for stopping by.
I baked a blueberry cake and served it with this vanilla sauce. So so good. 🙂
Author
Yes, this sauce is so perfect with any cake with berries! Thank you for letting us know.
I’ve never tried making custard before but this looks like an excellent recipe! Definitely makes me want to give it a try! 🙂
The uses of this sauce are endless! It would go with almost any baked good. Definitely a step up from whipped cream or even ice cream.
This is a sweet sauce that goes great on everything from pancakes to cinnamon rolls. Easy to make too!
Author
That is indeed true! Love its versatility for sure!
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely amazing. It also look so easy to make. I can’t imagine where it’s been my whole life.
Author
Easy peasy indeed. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, this came out delicious. I topped it over angel food cake that I bought (shhh!) with fresh berries. I’ll be trying your apple cake next. Thank you!
Author
Haha! Your secret is safe Sandra, and don’t worry I do that, too!!! Glad you liked this. Thank you!
I love making vanilla sauce and dipping my churros in it! This one seems very easy to do.
What a simple and delicious vanilla custard sauce! I loooove vanilla custard sauce, and we always have it on homemade jello here in Norway, or on fresh strawberries/fruit in general. Amazing.
I so love this custard, it is perfect on so many desserts, and I love how easy it is to make.
How easy is that? I could think of so many ways to use this beautiful custard sauce!
I usually only make custard on a few occasions – Christmas being one! Being English I can confirm that we Brits love our desserts and even better if it’s served with custard!
I always love having vanilla sauce on my apple cake, it’s really delicious and it so easy to make, everyone are loving it!
Wow this sounds delicious and would be great to put on so many things, yum!
Is there anything better than custard sauce? Such an amazing decadent flavor that adds so much to any dessert! Loved this recipe!
This sauce has my mouth watering! I can’t wait to whip this together soon.
I made coffee cake yesterday morning for breakfast, this would have been perfect on top. I’m going to save this and make next time to enjoy. Yummy!
This sauce sounds so delicious and luxurious! I’d love to pour it over any and every dessert! It feels like something from the Great British Baking Show 🙂
I want to drink this custard sauce, it is so good! Whole family loved it!
Maybe is stupid question but I never make custard sauce before. You think I can make it ahead of time and if yes for how long
Thank you
Author
Yes, you can make it ahead. Homemade custard like this should store well in the fridge for 3-4 days provided it’s properly covered or in an airtight container. Allow it to cool completely first at room temperature before putting it in your fridge to chill.
One of my favorite sauces when we make bread pudding. This recipe is so easy and so delicious!
Author
So glad you liked it. Thanks for letting us know.