Cardamom Crème Fraîche Topped Custard Pudding
Silky vanilla custard infused with cardamom, crowned with a spiced crème fraîche topping and toasted cashews for a sophisticated dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers whole milk, large egg yolks, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving is portion-balanced and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crème fraîche
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon, toasted and chopped cashews
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Place 4 ramekins in a roasting pan.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Step 3: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon (8-10 minutes). Do not boil.
- Step 4: Pour custard into ramekins. Place roasting pan in oven and add hot water to reach halfway up ramekin sides (bain-marie).
- Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes until custard is set but slightly wobbly in center. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup crème fraîche, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom until smooth.
- Step 7: Spoon crème fraîche topping over cooled custard and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted chopped cashews. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cardamom Crème Fraîche Topped Custard Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Cardamom Crème Fraîche Topped Custard Pudding?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cardamom Crème Fraîche Topped Custard Pudding?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cardamom Crème Fraîche Topped Custard Pudding for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cardamom Crème Fraîche Topped Custard Pudding?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family loved this dessert. The cardamom added a wonderful warmth.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my daughter's birthday party! The cardamom flavor was perfect.
- ★★★★☆
The custard was delicious, but the crème fraîche topping was a bit bland.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
