Tips On How To Make Baby Custard

If you’ve been wondering how to make baby custard, today’s article will serve as a guide to solving your problem of making custard yourself.

Custard is an easy weight-gain recipe that can be used as a dip, a filler, or taken as a think savory cream.

It is an easily digestible meal that can help a baby grow and develop, meet their energy requirement needs, and satisfy their appetite. Custards vary in consistency depending on the recipe for preparation. 

If your little bundle of joy is set to start taking solids, then you can introduce this baby pudding as an alternative to breast milk and a teaser to other solids; however, you must have age-appropriate control.

Can You Give Custard to Your Infant?

Once your baby is well over 6 months, it is okay to begin solids, including this baby pudding; however, if your infant is between 4-6 months old or less, it is too young to be introduced to solids. 

Once your baby crosses 6 months of age and is well within their active movement phase, that is, crawling, walking, or running, you can incorporate this easy-to-consume option in their diet that must be taken in moderation.

Easy Custard Recipes For Babies

As your infant crosses 6 months, you will constantly have to brainstorm healthy, safe, and easily digestible foods for your baby. 

Custards are delicious recipes that can be made with different ingredients and different methods. So keep reading to find the right recipe(s) for your baby, and who knows? It just might become a grown-up’s delight too. 

However, it is essential to note that the recipes below are for a serving only. To make more servings, you may have to increase the quantity of each ingredient.

1. Oats Custard

This incredibly rich and tasty custard is high in calcium and is made with oats, egg yolk, and milk. Other ingredients, such as jaggery powder and cinnamon powder, can be added to give a good flavor. 

This deeply satisfying and nourishing recipe can be given to babies over 8 months. Oats custard is sure to become your baby’s rare friend and the spark for your little one’s desire for food.

Prep Time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Age Recommendation: 1 year and above

Ingredients Needed To Make Oats Custard

• 2 tbsp of oats
• 1 cup of milk
• One egg yolk
• 1 tbsp of brown sugar
• 1 tbsp of dry powdered fruits (optional)

Directions for Preparation

• Put milk and brown sugar in a pan and whisk thoroughly to prevent lumps from forming just below the boiling point.
• Continually whisk the milk until it becomes thick and cream-colored. Whisking is crucial so it does burn, as the milk gets burnt easily.
• Check for lumps or air bubbles.
• Toss in the oats and dry powdered fruit.
• Stir all the ingredients well and heat gently until the oats are cooked.
• Turn off the flame and set it aside to cool.
• Next, ensure the custard is at room temperature before serving the baby. 

2. Egg Custard

Egg custard is one of the oldest, most basic, and easiest custard recipe to prepare. It is a wholesome source of protein that can be made using everyday ingredients from your kitchen cabinet and is suitable for babies above 8 months of age. 

Homemade egg custard is far superior in taste to store-bought ones and can be served as an occasional treat to your entire family.

Prep Time: 15 – 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Age Recommendation: 1 year and above

Ingredients Needed To Make Egg Custard

• One egg yolk
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp of honey or castor sugar

Directions for Preparation

• Place the egg, honey, or castor sugar, vanilla essence, and whole milk inside a large bowl and whisk all the ingredients together.
• Wipe a pan and pour the mixture into it on low heat, heat gently while stirring until the custard thickens.
• When the custard starts sticking to the back of the ladle, please remove it from the flame and set it aside for an hour or more.
• You can refrigerate it immediately instead of setting it aside to cool, but it can only be served at room temperature, especially for babies.

3. Fruits with Custard

Babies who do not enjoy taking fruits will love fruit custards. Fruit custards are fun and creative custard recipes to feed your little one. 

Not only do they contain the required nutrients, but they also give custards a distinctly rich and flavorful taste.

Prep Time: 10 to 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Age Recommendation: 1 year and above

Ingredients Needed To Make Fruit Custard

• 1/4 cup of crushed, whole wheat biscuits or powdered makhana  
• 2 tbsp of mixed fresh and finely chopped fruits
• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 1 tbsp of sugar

Directions for Preparation

• Place milk in a large pan and boil over a hot flame.
• Reduce the heat and add sugar, and mix thoroughly.
• Put in the makhana/ biscuits and keep stirring, but turn off the heat before any lumps form or it gets burnt.
• Set aside and allow the mixture to cool completely.
• Add chopped fruits and mix well.
• Serve custard at room temperature.

4. Apple Custard

This custard is very similar in preparation to oats custard. It is a tasty, calcium-rich custard made with apples, almonds, egg yolk, and milk. 

Please note this custard recipe contains allergens like eggs, whole milk, and nuts. Thus, ensure each ingredient is safe for your baby before feeding the custard.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Age Recommendation: 1 year and above

Ingredients Needed To Make Apple Custard

• One medium-sized apple
• One egg yolk
• 5 cups of milk
• 1 tbsp of oats (optional)
• 1 tbsp of dry, powdered fruits (optional)
• 2 tbsp of brown sugar
• 1 tbsp of powdered or chopped almonds

Directions for Preparation

• Wash an apple and peel the skin.
• Chop the peeled apple into small pieces, steam them, and make a puree.
• In a large bowl, brown sugar, and whisk the egg yolk and milk. Mix well so no lumps remain, and whisk until you see small bubbles.
• Keep stirring continuously while heating the mixture over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
• When the mixture thickens, toss in the oats alongside the almonds and dry fruits.
• Mix the custard and allow the oats to cook completely until it becomes thick and creamy.
• Next, switch off the flame at that consistency, add the apple puree, and give it a good stir.
• Set aside and allow to cool before serving.

5. Banana Custard

This simple and delicious recipe remains a fantastic choice for babies, toddlers, and vegetarians. 

Bananas can serve as alternatives to eggs and make a fantastic blancmange custard. It is advisable to use mashed bananas instead of whole bananas when making banana custard.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 to 25 minutes

Age Recommendation: 1 year and above

Ingredients Needed To Make the Banana Custard

• One large banana
• 2 tbsp of jaggery or honey or brown sugar
• 1.5 cups of milk
• 1 tbsp of chopped or powdered dry fruits (optional) 
• 1 tbsp of custard powder

Directions for Preparation

• Peel and chop the bananas in a bowl. You can save some pieces for garnishing, then grind the rest.
• Mix the custard powder and sweetener in half a cup of milk and whisk it well to avoid lumps forming.
• Place the remaining milk in a pan on low heat and add the mixture gradually while constantly stirring it.
• Keep stirring as the milk comes to a boil and becomes thickened and creamy in texture.
• Add the dry fruit powder and mix.
• Once all the ingredients have mixed nicely, turn off the flame and add the pureed bananas.
• Once done, allow to sit, cool, or refrigerate for 2 hours and serve.

6. Banana Coconut Custard

Banana coconut custard derives its natural sweetness from bananas and dates when added. It is high in fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. 

This custard is very nutritious and keeps the gut at an optimal level. This is a great pudding your baby will love if they are one year or older.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 to 35 minutes

Age Recommendation: 1.5 years and above

Ingredients Needed To Make Banana Coconut Custard

• One finely chopped banana
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 1 tbsp of sugar
• 1 tbsp of desiccated coconut
• One pinch of salt
• 1/4 tbsp of vanilla essence
• Two eggs

Directions for Preparation

• Toss in all ingredients and whisk them to remove lumps or blend them using a blender or food processor.
• Grease a baking pan or souffle dish with oil or butter and pour the custard mix into the pan.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350 degrees until the custard has set and is firm.
• Serve hot, cold, or at room temperature just as-is. If desired, sprinkle dry sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut for culinary effect.

7. Vanilla Custard With Stewed Fruits Or Fruit Mash

If your baby enjoys custard with fruits, they will love this sweet treat. This recipe is sure to satisfy their sweet cravings while feeding them something healthy. 

Pluns, apricots, peaches, dates, apples, pears, or rhubarbs can be stewed, while kiwi, figs, watermelon, mango, bananas, rockmelon, berries, nectarines, peaches, and paw-paw can be used for fruit mash.

Ingredients Needed To Make a Vanilla Custard with Stewed Fruits

• ½ tbsp of cornflour
• ¾ cups of milk
• One egg yolk
• ¼ tbsp of alcohol-free vanilla essence
• 2 tbsp of sugar

How to Prepare

• Add the first two ingredients to a bowl and mix thoroughly until both ingredients form a smooth paste. Gradually add the other ingredients and mix until a smooth, desired consistency is achieved.
• Place a saucepan on medium-low heat, pour the mixture into the pan, and stir continuously. Keep stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
• Allow to sit and cool a bit, then add stewed fruits or fruit mash and serve.

To Make Stewed Fruits, You Will Have To

• Wash fruit(s) and chop them into neat pieces.
• Place chopped fruits in a pot and pour in enough water to cover the fruit slightly; cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Once the fruit is getting tender, reduce the heat and simmer until it is cooked.
• Place tender fruits in a blender, use the remaining liquid from the pot if necessary, and blend until the desired consistency is reached, or you can simply blend the fruit. Older babies can have slightly chunky pieces of fruit in their custard.

To make Fruit Mash, You Will Have To:

• First, wash and peel fruits if need be and chop them into small pieces.
• Then, you can either blend the fruit or mash it. A blender or food processor will come in handy for this step.

Tips For Thickening Custard

The following ingredients can be used to achieve a rich, creamy, and spoonable custard: Egg yolk and cornflour. These thickeners can be used in place of one another. 

For instance, if you don’t intend to use starch in your recipe, then two egg yolks can be used in place of cornflour, and if eggs are not used, then three tablespoons of cornflour will do the trick.

How to Thicken Custard

• Place milk in a pot over high heat and boil until it is piping hot.
• Next, remove milk from the flame and allow it to sit for a while before adding cornflour or egg yolk. Finally, whisk all ingredients until a smooth paste or mixture is formed without lumps or air bubbles.
• Turn on the flame, place the mixture over low heat, and let it thicken. Please note, do not allow the milk to boil again; otherwise, you will end up with a thin custard.

Amazing Benefits Of Custard For Babies

Besides its rich and creamy taste, the custard is a nutrient-packed meal that offers babies many health benefits. However, different types of custard offer different results. 

For example, if you want your little one to gain good weight, then custards made with egg and milk are your best bet instead of its egg and milk-free powdered variant. Below are some benefits of custard for babies.

• Custard is a great protein source. In addition, the milk and eggs or egg yolk provides high body-building content.
• Custard is high in calcium and rich in B vitamins. Its high nutritional value greatly helps in building strong bones.
• Custard is a great energy booster; it helps fight fatigue and is a fantastic weight-gain meal. But, unfortunately, it is high in fat and contains a bit of sugar.
• Interestingly, the custard is a filling and deeply satisfying meal. Babies feel full for a long time after eating custard.
• It has immense vision and mental benefits. Custard improves eyesight and aids brain development.
• It has been proven that custard greatly limits the chances of arthritis, cancer, and anemia.
• It gives glowing skin.

Side Effects of Custards for Babies

On the flip side, there are some severe side effects that can result from your little one taking this creamy pudding as a full meal frequently. They include the following:

• One of the side effects of custard is that it has an acidic side that may trouble your little one.
• Whereas homemade custard is naturally gluten-free, pre-packaged ones could have gluten ingredients as thickeners and may result in gluten or celiac sensitivity issues.
• Most custards are made with eggs and milk, which may result in lactose malabsorption or egg allergies, leading to mild or severe symptoms.
• Frequent intake of custard tends to build up sugar levels and may result in early-onset diabetes.
• Custard is an easy and healthy weight-gain meal; however, excessive and frequent consumption can make your little one obese.

Custards are high in calcium and B vitamins. They are packed with nutritional benefits, and homemade custards make wholesome, healthy, and tasty meals due to the absence of artificial additives or colorings that may cause allergic reactions in your little one.