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Rich Custard

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 5 cups

Ingredients

3

/4 cup sugar

3

tablespoons cornstarch

4

cups whole milk

2

teaspoons finely grated fresh orange zest

10

large egg yolks

1

teaspoon vanilla

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk together 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Whisk in 1/4 cup milk until smooth, then stir in remaining milk and zest. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking frequently.

    Step 2

    Have ready a bowl filled with ice and cold water. Whisk together yolks and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in hot milk mixture, then transfer custard to saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 4 minutes. (Do not boil.)

    Step 3

    Immediately pour custard through a fine sieve into a metal bowl set in ice water. Stir in vanilla. Cool, stirring frequently.