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Chef Ava

3-Ingredient Baked Egg Custard

This classic 3-ingredient baked egg custard is silky, lightly sweet, and wonderfully comforting. Made with just eggs, whole milk, and sugar, then gently baked in a water bath until perfectly smooth, this timeless dessert delivers old-fashioned flavor with only five minutes of preparation.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Equipment

  • small baking dish or ramekins
  • large baking pan
  • large mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • fine-mesh sieve

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish or four individual ramekins.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until completely smooth with no streaks of egg white remaining.
  3. Add the granulated sugar and whisk until fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking gently until completely combined.
  5. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared baking dish or ramekins.
  6. Place the baking dish inside a larger baking pan and carefully pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the custard dish.
  7. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
  8. Carefully remove the custard from the water bath and allow it to cool slightly.
  9. Serve warm, or refrigerate until chilled for an even creamier texture.

Notes

Always bake the custard in a hot water bath to ensure a silky, smooth texture. Whisk gently to avoid incorporating excess air, and strain the mixture before baking for the creamiest result. Remove the custard when the center still has a slight jiggle, as it will continue setting while cooling.